About
Solarmeter is the consumer and professional UV meter brand under Solar Light Company, LLC — a world leader in light science instrumentation since 1967, when they invented the first Solar Simulator. The Solarmeter product line includes handheld meters for UVA, UVB, UVA+B, UVC, erythemally-weighted UV, blue light, red light, visible, and infrared measurement, spanning applications from reptile husbandry to clinical sunscreen testing. Solar Light Company's broader portfolio also encompasses solar simulators, UV transmittance analyzers, spectroradiometers through their Optronic Laboratories division, Hybrid Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (HDRS) instruments for rapid SPF/UVAPF testing, and UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) testing equipment. All instruments are built to meet ISO compliance standards (including ISO 24443 and ISO 23675) and are supported by ISO 17025-accredited calibration, NIST-traceable calibration services, validation, and repair programs. Ideal users include dermatology and sunscreen R&D labs, reptile and horticulture specialists, industrial process engineers, atmospheric scientists, and UV safety professionals. The company also provides accelerated UV/light aging testing services and extended warranty programs (RestAssured®), making it a full-service partner for light measurement science.
Key Features
- Wide UV Spectrum Coverage: Meters available for UVA, UVB, UVC, UVA+B, erythemally-weighted UV, blue light, red light, visible, and infrared — covering virtually every light measurement need.
- NIST-Traceable Calibration: All instruments are supported by ISO 17025-accredited, NIST-traceable calibration services ensuring measurement accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Specialized Application Meters: Purpose-built models for reptile UV (Ferguson Zones/Vitamin D action spectrum), horticulture, window tint testing, sun/UV index, and irradiance measurement.
- HDRS Sunscreen Testing Technology: Model 602 HDRS instruments provide super-fast, non-invasive SPF, UVAPF, and Critical Wavelength testing for sunscreen formulation and raw material development.
- ISO-Compliant Solar Simulators: LS1000 and 16S solar simulator systems configured to meet ISO 24443, ISO 23675, and ISO 23698 standards for pre-irradiation and clinical UV testing.
Use Cases
- Reptile keepers measuring UVB output from basking lamps to ensure proper Vitamin D3 synthesis for turtles, iguanas, and bearded dragons.
- Sunscreen and cosmetic formulators using HDRS instruments for rapid, non-invasive SPF and UVAPF testing during product development.
- Industrial and laboratory researchers calibrating light sources and validating UV exposure levels with NIST-traceable radiometers.
- Horticulture and urban farming professionals measuring light spectra to optimize plant growth under artificial lighting.
- Germicidal and disinfection engineers validating UVC irradiance levels for UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) systems.
Pros
- Decades of Proven Expertise: Solar Light Company has been a trusted pioneer in light science since 1967, offering instruments validated by decades of scientific and industrial use.
- Broad Product Range: From affordable handheld Solarmeter UV meters to advanced spectroradiometers and solar simulators, the portfolio covers hobbyist to enterprise research needs.
- End-to-End Service Support: Full-service offering includes calibration, repair, extended warranties (RestAssured®), and accelerated UV testing services beyond just instrument sales.
- Regulatory & ISO Compliance: Instruments and services are aligned with key international standards, making them suitable for clinical trials, QC labs, and regulatory submissions.
Cons
- Premium Pricing: Laboratory-grade instruments and calibration services carry significant costs that may be prohibitive for casual or budget-constrained users.
- Specialized Use Cases: Products are highly specialized for light/UV science; they have limited applicability outside of research, industrial, or niche hobbyist contexts.
- No Software-as-a-Service Offering: The product line is hardware-centric with no cloud platform, dashboards, or SaaS analytics tools for remote data management or visualization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of UV meters does Solarmeter offer?
Solarmeter offers handheld meters across the full UV spectrum: UVA, UVB, UVC, UVA+B combined, erythemally-weighted UV, blue light, red light, visible light, and infrared meters, along with UV Index and Vitamin D3 models.
Are Solarmeter instruments suitable for reptile keepers?
Yes. Solarmeter offers dedicated reptile meters (e.g., Model 6.5R) that measure UV output relative to the Vitamin D action spectrum and Ferguson Zones, helping identify safe basking areas for reptiles like turtles, iguanas, and bearded dragons.
Does Solar Light Company provide calibration services?
Yes. Solar Light Company operates an ISO 17025-accredited calibration laboratory offering NIST-traceable calibrations, validation services, and instrument repair for their own and third-party equipment.
What is the HDRS method and who is it for?
Hybrid Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (HDRS) is a disruptive, non-invasive technology for rapid SPF, UVAPF, and Critical Wavelength testing. It's designed for sunscreen manufacturers, cosmetic formulators, and raw material developers who need faster testing cycles.
Which ISO standards do Solar Light's solar simulators support?
The LS1000 and 16S solar simulator systems are configured to meet ISO 24443:2012, ISO 24443:2021, ISO 23675, and ISO 23698 standards for pre-irradiation and UV transmittance testing.
