Key takeaways:
MBJ’s portfolio covers both inline production tools and laboratory systems using LED-based illumination
Newer models introduce steady-state operation alongside pulsed testing to support advanced module characterization
Most systems are designed for monofacial testing, with bifacial capability limited to specific inline configurations
MBJ lists 5 sun simulator models in TaiyangNews’ Market Survey on Solar Module Production Equipment 2026, including products in different configurations, illumination principles, and applications. For example, the MBJ Sun Simulator (Inline), a decade-old and the oldest of the company’s listed products, is an inline tool specifically designed for the production line. The latest one introduced in 2026, the MBJ Sun Simulator (Inline Steady), is also an inline machine that supports both pulsed and steady-state measurements. While MBJ has not provided any further details of its applications, the tool is most likely designed for next-generation tandem module characterization in a high-throughput environment. The remaining 3 products are mainly designed for R&D applications. The latest among these is MBJ Sunlike Lab, introduced in 2025. The specialty of this tool is that it provides a sunlight-like spectrum. The product is designed for flash operation up to 500 ms and for continuous light operation, making it ideal for different lab setups. The next is MBJ Steady State Sun Simulator, a 2023 model designed for the characterization of mini-modules in the development of new cell technologies, such as perovskites, in the laboratory. MBJ Sun Simulator - Lab is also a decade-old product promoted for use in the laboratory or in small-scale production.
All 5 systems use LED lamps as the illumination source. Among them, only Sun Simulator - Inline supports bifacial module testing with 2 light sources, while the remaining 4 models are configured for monofacial module characterization. The maximum illumination areas for 4 of these listed products are the same at 1,400 × 2,700 mm. On the other hand, Steady State Sun Simulator is designed for mini-modules of up to 500 × 500 mm.
The company’s entire listed product range uses a passive electronic load. In addition, 3 products – Sun Simulator - Inline Steady, Steady-State Sun Simulator, and Sunline Lab – also include MPPT functionality. Both 2016 models – Sun Simulator - Inline and Sun Simulator - Lab – operate with pulsed illumination, while the remaining models also support continuous illumination in addition to pulsed operation. The entire range supports a maximum illumination intensity of 1,200 W/m². The lower limit slightly changes to 200 W/m² for the production-scale tool and the system for mini-modules, whereas it is 100 W/m² for the rest. All 5 systems are rated A+A+A+ simulator class. In addition, except for the 2016 models, the 3 latest models are equipped with a wavelength-control feature.
In terms of additional measurement functions, the 2 latest models – Sun Simulator - Inline Steady and Sunlike Lab – also support dark IV measurements. And along with Sunlike Lab, Steady-State Sun Simulator and Sun Simulator - Lab support EL imaging.
The pulsed Sun Simulator - Inline and Sun Simulator - Lab have a pulse duration of 200 ms. The specified number of measuring points per IV curve for all 5 systems is 10,000. Measurement accuracy for all models is specified as ±1%. Power repeatability is reported as less than 0.1% for all models, while Sunlike Lab achieves an even better value of less than 0.05%. It also has the best measurement resolution of the product range, at 24 bits, while the remaining 4 are rated at 16 bits.
The measurement cycle time for both inline versions, Sun Simulator - Inline and Sun Simulator - Inline (Steady), is specified as less than 15 seconds, while it is not provided for the rest, given that they are R&D tools. The maximum throughput is specified only for Sun Simulator - Inline, which can test up to 240 modules per hour. The total system uptime across all 5 models is specified as 98%. The IV measurement time for Sun Simulator - Inline and Sun Simulator - Lab is 200 ms. For the pulsed-illumination models, the LED lamp lifetime is specified as 10 million flashes.
The text is an edited excerpt from TaiyangNews’ Market Survey on Solar Module Production Equipment 2026, which can be downloaded for free here.
