SUNBOX: Portable LED Solar Simulator for Green Innovation

SUNBOX is a low-cost LED-based solar simulator developed at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid to characterise solar cells, photodetectors and light-sensitive materials. It reproduces the solar spectrum from 360 to 1000 nm over areas up to 25 cm², enabling efficiency testing and degradation analysis under controlled and repeatable conditions.

The system is compact, portable and customisable—users can select LED configurations and adjust the irradiation spectrum without optical lenses or complex components. Its 3D-printed design reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies scalability, making it significantly more affordable and energy-efficient than conventional simulators based on halogen or xenon lamps.

SUNBOX is ideal for laboratories and companies working on photovoltaic materials, photodetectors, textiles, cosmetics, plant biotechnology or any sector where light exposure testing is essential.

Collaboration sought:
License agreements, manufacturing partnerships or joint ventures are sought with companies and research organisations interested in integrating or commercialising the technology.