The simulator has been designed to simulate sunlight of similar intensity and spectrum. It provides uniform light on a test area of dimensions up to 2m by 1.5m with a target distance between 1.8m and 2.2m. The simulator lamp array consists of high power 35 metal halide lamps arranged in 7 rows of 5 lamps each. Each lamp is equipped with a rotation symmetrical paraboloidal reflector to provide a light beam of high collimation. In order to achieve uniform distribution of light intensity on the test area, a lens is inserted in each lamp to widen the illumination of light. The combination of reflector-characteristics, lens and lamps ensures a realistic simulation of the beam path, spectrum and uniformity. The unique design feature of the simulator is to achieve uniform intensity of light on vertical, horizontal as well as inclined surface. This feature allows full testing of solar concentrating systems to be carried out as every direction of the sunlight incident on the concentrator aperture can be simulated. The simulator is equipped with an external control unit. The unit includes safety features to protect the system from power failure and overheating. Any fault in the system will be displayed on the simulator control panel. The intensity of the light on the test target can be controlled automatically or manually through the control unit.