When precision matters, relying on the weather won’t cut it. This side-by-side comparison of the G2V Sunbrick and natural sunlight covers spectral stability, reproducibility, and testing compliance—so you get dependable results, rain or shine.
| Feature | G2V Sunbrick | Natural Sunlight | Questions To Ask Yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area of Illumination | 15 cm × 15 cm | Unbounded (but inconsistent) | Can I ensure consistent irradiance across my DUT every day? |
| Spectral Range | 350 nm – 1200 nm | ~295 nm – 2500 nm (varies with conditions) | Do I need stable UV–visible–NIR coverage for repeatable results? |
| Spectral Control | 32 Tunable channels | None | Do I need to isolate or reproduce specific spectral bands like AM1.5G or AM0 or unique irradiance profiles? |
| IEC 60904-9 Compliance | Class A+A+A+ | Not certifiable | Do I need traceable, certifiable light for publication or QA? |
| Temporal Stability | <2% over 10,000 hrs | Highly variable (weather/time/season) | Can I afford interruptions or inconsistencies in my data due to light fluctuations? |
| Spatial Uniformity | <1% | Variable both cyclically and randomly | Does my research require uniform irradiance across the test area? |
| Reproducibility | Day-to-day consistency | Impossible without identical weather/time | Can I reproduce the same test conditions next week or next year? |
| Availability | 24/7, regardless of weather | Limited to clear skies, daytime | Is it acceptable to wait for the weather to cooperate with your deadlines? |
| Spectral Standards | AM1.5G, AM0, Custom Profiles | AM1.0 – AM40.0, uncontrollable | Do I need to simulate conditions found in space or high-latitude regions? |
| Automation and Integration | Python API, IV integration | None | Do I need to automate testing or integrate with lab instruments like Keithley? |
| Location Flexibility | Lab bench or fumehood | Must be outside or under skylight | Is it safe or viable to expose my samples or setup to the environment? |
| Safety and Contamination Risk | Controlled indoor environment | Open-air exposure | Is contamination or sample degradation from humidity, dust, or insects a concern? |
When comparing the G2V Sunbrick to natural sunlight as a testing source, it’s essential to consider both the technical demands of modern research and the unpredictability of real-world solar conditions.
The Sunbrick offers a stable, repeatable 15 cm × 15 cm illumination area with 32 tunable LED channels, enabling precise control over spectral profiles like AM1.5G or AM0 all indoors and on demand. Its integration-ready software (Python API) supports automated workflows, repeatable testing, and compatibility with lab instruments like the Keithley 2400 series.
Natural sunlight, while free and spectrally broad, is inherently uncontrollable and subject to time of day, weather, air mass, and seasonal changes. It lacks spectral tunability, cannot meet IEC 60904-9 certification, ironically, and forces researchers to adapt to environmental variability rather than control it.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to control vs. compromise. If your research depends on reproducibility, automation, and standards-compliant light, the Sunbrick offers unmatched precision that natural sunlight can’t provide.
Uncontrollable variables: Cloud cover, angle, and air mass shift daily and seasonally.
No reproducibility: Even “same time next day” isn’t guaranteed to give the same spectrum or irradiance.
Exposure risks: Outdoor testing can introduce contamination, wind, insects, or temperature fluctuations.
Lost time: You’re tied to weather, time of day, and forecast cycles, not your schedule.
Reliable, reproducible testing: Same light, every time, regardless of weather or season.
Spectral tuning that matches your research: Easily simulate AM1.5G, AM0, or custom profiles.
24/7 indoor availability: No waiting for sunshine, run your tests when it suits you.
Tight integration with your instruments: Automate IV sweeps, scripting, and data collection.
Publishable accuracy: Meet Class A+A+A+ across all IEC 60904-9 dimensions.
Leading labs across aerospace, photovoltaics, and materials science now trust G2V Optics simulators to eliminate the variability and risks of relying on real sunlight.
Whether you’re:
Testing or developing solar cells,
Exploring photochemistry applications,
Or running long-duration degradation studies,
The Sunbrick delivers solar conditions without solar uncertainty.
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Knowledge Base
Explore our knowledge base to learn more about customers’ work in the STEM field, the IEC standards, and the physics properties of light and how they apply to different applications. Our knowledge base is designed to make finding information on solar simulation faster than light.
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