Development of an indoor light simulator for the characterisation of Photovoltaic components and autonomous IoT systems (R6 Cont.)

Lightricity has developed world leading efficiency indoor photovoltaic (PV) technology capable of powering a multitude of small wireless devices e.g. for wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT). The company currently sells its unique indoor PV component technology to IoT device developers and also offers PV- powered IoT devices to systems integrators and IoT solution providers. In order to test our products in the full range of lighting conditions likely to be experienced by the devices and therefore demonstrate performance potential vs battery-powered devices, we have developed a family of affordable, portable light simulators (LightBox). As well as helping address our internal needs, the LightBox is currently sold to researchers and PV-powered device developers.

Currently LightBox sales are limited by its accuracy and lack of confirmed performance relative to any validated measurement approaches. Accuracy is adequate for performance determination in relatively bright indoor lighting scenarios but is insufficient to accurately quantify PV and IoT device batch variability, longer term stability of performance and clear, verifiable differences in performances between technologies and devices at the lowest light levels. These are critical to us and other developers when working with ultra-low power electronics and very low levels of light. Additionally, our own PV-powered IoT devices would be more marketable if we can confirm their performance more accurately and by reference to verified characterisation of the LightBox. A significant barrier to customer adoption of light-powered IoT devices is being able to convince them of performance across the full range of lighting levels that they may encounter. A battery is a safe if rather short term, high maintenance and unsustainable power solution.

We need to fully characterise and optimise the LightBox product in order to improve its performance. Working with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) brings access to unique custom measurement capabilities, expertise and linkage to standards development. The project will help us improve the accuracy of the LightBox and ensure that it is aligned to future international standards. This will increase customer confidence in this product and make it a unique, low-cost testing tool for PV-powered IoT devices.