From the experiments in photovoltaic laboratories that were halted due to rain to the hard-to-replicate space spectra in aerospace tests, from the stuck photocatalytic experiments in scientific research scenarios to the crops in agricultural greenhouses that suffered from reduced yields due to insufficient light - the "uncontrollability" of natural light was once a "roadblock" in the face of innovation in multiple fields. For 20 years, Saifan Optoelectronics has been deeply engaged in the optoelectronic field. With its independently developed solar simulator as a breakthrough tool, it has integrated its four core capabilities of "precision, stability, customization and energy conservation" into industrial practice, bringing "obedient light" to photovoltaic, aerospace, scientific research and agriculture, and enabling innovation to move from "relying on the weather" to "active control".
1. Photovoltaic R&D: 0.3% stability + 11 years of maintenance-free, dual breakthroughs in efficiency and cost
The conversion efficiency of the same batch of perovskite cells was measured at 25.2% in the morning, but dropped to 23.8% in the afternoon on a cloudy day. The data deviation exceeded 6%, and the validity of the data has been verified for half a year. The monthly electricity cost for 8 xenon lamp devices is 20,000 yuan. Replacing the lamps costs 48,000 yuan a year, and the research and development costs remain high. The predicament of Mr. Wang, the R&D director of a leading photovoltaic enterprise, is a common pain point in the industry. After the introduction of the Saifan solar simulator, the R&D pace has completely "shifted gears and accelerated".
Saifan's technical hard power stems from 20 years of accumulation: The independently developed 5th generation intelligent spectral fitting algorithm, trained on 2 million sets of measured data, has achieved A + level spectral matching degree (0.875-1.125) in the full band from 400nm to 1100nm, and the restoration accuracy in the near-infrared region from 780-1100nm exceeds 98%. The data deviation is strictly locked within ±0.3%. "Now, use the touch screen to preset the AM1.5G mode. Just click 'Test' and the IV curve will be automatically generated. The data measured today will reproduce an error of no more than 0.5% next week. There's no need to compete with the data anymore." " With the help of equipment, Wang's team identified the core issue of "13% low near-infrared absorption efficiency of the battery" within 12 days. After optimizing the materials, the efficiency jumped to 27.3%, and the results were published in Nature Photonics.
The cost advantage is equally significant: It adopts a self-packaged 128-channel LED light source with a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours (it can operate continuously for 11 years if used for 8 hours a day), completely eliminating the trouble of "replacing the lamp every six months". The power consumption of the 650W entire machine is only 22% of that of traditional xenon lamps. The monthly electricity cost for 8 units of equipment has dropped from 20,000 yuan to 4,500 yuan, and the annual electricity cost savings for a 1GW production line exceed 200,000 yuan. In the mass production stage, the equipment is integrated with the MES system, increasing the A-grade product rate from 88% to 94% and reducing defective product losses by 12 million yuan annually. "With this Saifan device, we can spend our money on technological breakthroughs rather than on operation and maintenance costs." Engineer Wang sighed.
Ii. Aerospace Testing: -40℃ weather resistance + 7-day customization, strengthening the safety defense line in space
"In-orbit life assessment of spacecraft battery wings: A 1% deviation in light intensity may lead to a three-year error." The light intensity drift of the traditional simulator exceeds 5% at a low temperature of -40 ℃, and the test data cannot be used for safety assessment. The solar panels of the Mars rover need AM0 + infrared enhanced spectroscopy. It takes three months to customize them from abroad. The project will definitely be delayed. The anxiety of Engineer Li from the Beijing Institute of Aerospace Metrology reveals the strictness of aerospace testing. The "all-scenario adaptability" of the Saifan solar simulator has become a "reassuring pill" for space missions.
For extreme environments, the equipment adopts a 6061-T6 military-grade aluminum alloy body and an airtight packaging design, which is like wearing a "space protective suit" for the device. Within the temperature range of -40 ℃ to 60℃, the temperature fluctuation is ≤±0.3℃, and the light intensity fluctuation in the 720-hour low-temperature irradiation test is ≤±1.2%, accurately reproducing the AM0 space spectrum. During the test of the battery wing of a certain space station, the team developed a new type of anti-radiation coating based on these data, which extended the in-orbit service life of the battery wing from 5 years to 15 years.
In the face of special demands, Saifan's customization speed is even more astonishing: During the Mars exploration mission, the R&D team completed the design of the "Infrared enhancement module" in 72 hours. By increasing the density of lamp beads in the 800-1100nm band, the irradiance of this band was enhanced by 30%. The installation and debugging only took 48 hours, which is 98% shorter than the three-month cycle abroad. In the past, when waiting for foreign equipment, one had to be at a loss. Now, Saifan can handle it in just seven days, and space missions no longer have to be held back. Engineer Li said.
Iii. Scientific Research Experiments: 1% precision regulation + Low heat generation, Unlocking New Possibilities for Optical Applications
The photocatalytic hydrogen production experiment requires adjusting the proportion of the ultraviolet band from 5% to 15%. Traditional equipment only has a fixed spectrum, and the experiment has been stuck for half a year with no progress. The surface temperature of the xenon lamp equipment exceeded 70℃, and the experimental bench was extremely hot. For every 1℃ increase in ambient temperature, the activity of the catalyst dropped by 3%, and the data repeatability was extremely poor. Professor Zhou's concern from Qingdao University of Science and Technology is a common problem in the field of scientific research. The "customization + low heat generation" advantages of the Saifan solar simulator have completely broken through the experimental bottleneck.
This device can be called a "palette of light" : it supports 1% precision adjustment in the ultraviolet (300-400nm), visible and near-infrared bands. The light intensity can be continuously switched from 1W/m² (weak light) to 1500W/m² (strong light), and it can also simulate eight scenarios such as day and night alternations and pulsed light. Professor Zhou's team successfully increased the photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency by 40% and reduced the cost of green hydrogen to 35 yuan per kilogram by adjusting the proportion of ultraviolet light to 15%, reaching the commercialization threshold.
The low-heat design is a boon for scientific research: By adopting the "distributed heat dissipation + microchannel water cooling" technology, the surface temperature of the equipment during operation is only 38℃, the fluctuation of the experimental environment is ≤±0.5℃, and the data repeatability reaches 98%. Previously, students had to rush to conduct experiments during the cold early morning hours. Now, they can obtain stable data at any time, and the research progress has directly accelerated by 50%. Two of their achievements have already been published in SCI. Professor Zhou mentioned that a certain agricultural research group used this equipment to simulate the "strong ultraviolet + high infrared" spectrum of the plateau, and the yield of the barley variety they cultivated increased by 25%, which has been widely promoted in Qinghai.
Iv. Agricultural Planting: "Light Formula" + Energy Conservation, Illuminating the Path to Prosperity for Farmers
In winter, the greenhouses lack sufficient light, and the sweetness of strawberries is only 8 degrees. They are sold at 6 yuan per jin, and the 20 mu of land incurs an annual loss of 100,000 yuan. The surface temperature of the traditional supplementary light exceeds 60℃. If you get too close, it will burn the fruits; if you get too far, the light will be uneven and the supplementary lighting effect will be reduced. The predicament of Lao Yang, a strawberry grower in Shandong, is a common problem in facility agriculture in the north. After the introduction of the Saifan solar simulator in 2023, the Strawberry Garden has completely transformed.
The Saifan technical team conducted in-depth research in greenhouses and, based on the photosynthetic characteristics of strawberries, customized a solution of "65% red light + 10% blue light +2 hours of 380nm ultraviolet light" - red light promotes sugar accumulation, blue light enhances fruit firmness, and ultraviolet light increases anthocyanin content. The equipment can be hung 30 centimeters above strawberries. With a surface temperature of 38℃, it will not burn the crops, and the uniformity of light exposure is over 95%.
After one growing season, the sweetness of strawberries rose from 8 degrees to 11 degrees, the anthocyanin content increased by 18%, the yield per mu rose from 2,000 kilograms to 2,150 kilograms, the selling price per jin rose to 12 yuan, and the annual income of 20 mu of land increased by more than 200,000 yuan. Even more surprising is the electricity bill: With a power consumption of 650W, it saves 70% compared to traditional fill lights, and the monthly electricity bill is only 360 yuan. "Before, growing strawberries relied on the weather. Now, it's thanks to the light from Saifan. It's worry-free and profitable. More than ten farmers around have followed me to buy!" " Lao Yang smiled and said that now his strawberry garden has become a local "demonstration base for Science and technology agriculture".
V. Full-Cycle Service: From "Equipment Delivery" to "Value Co-construction"
Saifan Optoelectronics is well aware that high-quality products require comprehensive service support. For customers in different industries, Saifan has launched "exclusive service packages" : in the photovoltaic field, it provides "production line linkage debugging" to ensure seamless integration of equipment with the MES system; In the aerospace field, we offer "extreme environment calibration services" and conduct on-site low-temperature irradiation tests once a year. In the field of scientific research, we offer "customized spectral training", guiding you step by step on 1% precision control. In the agricultural sector, "field guidance" is provided to adjust light schemes according to the growth stages of crops.
Seven major spare parts centers across the country have achieved "2-hour response and 4-hour repair" : A photovoltaic factory's equipment suddenly suffered a software failure, and engineers provided remote guidance to solve the problem within 1 hour. The equipment in A certain scientific research laboratory has been in use for five years. After Saifan provided on-site maintenance, the spectral matching degree still remained at the A + level. The core components are covered by a 3-year warranty, and the LED light source is guaranteed to be replaced free of charge, ensuring that customers have no worries when using it.
Today, Saifan solar simulators have served over 200 customers worldwide, with a repurchase rate of 90% in the photovoltaic industry. In the aerospace field, they have supported 12 national-level tasks, and in the scientific research field, they have promoted over 20 SCI achievements. From the efficiency revolution in photovoltaic research and development to the safety escort of space missions, and then to the harvest code in the fields, Saifan Optoelectronics has used 20 years of technological accumulation to make "controllable light" truly become a "booster" for innovation in various industries. If your work or project is troubled by lighting problems, the Saifan solar simulator might just be the key for you to break through the bottleneck.
Link Microblog
