Solar Power Meter for Window & Glass Testing Compare Solar Transmission Malaysia
Solar Power Meter for Window & Glass Testing Compare Solar Transmission Malaysia
How can you compare the amount of solar radiation passing through different windows or glass?
One practical method is to use a solar power meter to compare solar radiation readings under controlled and repeatable measurement conditions.
The VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter is not limited to solar PV applications. VICI also identifies high-performance window identification as one of its applications.
This makes the LX-107 relevant to users who need portable solar power measurements for window, glazing and solar transmission comparison.
What Does a Solar Power Meter Measure?
A solar power meter measures incident radiant power over an area.
For the VICI LX-107, solar power can be displayed in:
W/m watts per square metre
This allows users to obtain a numerical reading instead of relying only on whether sunlight behind a window feels stronger or weaker.
Can You Compare Solar Radiation Through Glass?
Yes, comparative measurements can be useful when performed carefully.
A basic concept is to compare:
Solar radiation before the glass
with
Solar radiation after passing through the glass
If the measurement conditions are sufficiently controlled, the difference can provide useful comparative information about how much measured solar radiation reaches the sensor in each position.
However, users should understand an important limitation:
A handheld comparison is not automatically equivalent to a certified laboratory measurement of a glazing system's optical or thermal performance.
For formal product certification or specification verification, appropriate standards, instruments and laboratory procedures may be required.
Why Test Window Glass?
Different glazing systems are designed for different purposes.
Applications may involve:
Commercial buildings
Offices
Factories
Residential properties
Showrooms
Laboratories
Automotive-related testing
Energy-efficiency studies
Users may want to compare how different glazing conditions affect incoming solar radiation.
A portable solar power meter provides a convenient way to perform comparative field measurements.
Example: Comparing Two Windows
Suppose a facility engineer wants to compare solar radiation through two windows.
Window A
Outdoor/reference reading: ______ W/m
Indoor reading behind glass: ______ W/m
Window B
Outdoor/reference reading: ______ W/m
Indoor reading behind glass: ______ W/m
The readings may help the user compare the two measurement conditions.
However, the test must be performed carefully because solar radiation can change while measurements are being taken.
The Biggest Problem: Changing Sunlight
Outdoor solar conditions are rarely perfectly constant.
Passing clouds can change irradiance rapidly.
For example:
10:00 AM Reference reading
10:05 AM Glass measurement
If a cloud appears between those measurement, the difference may be caused partly by changing sunlight rather than only by the glass.
For better comparisons:
Take reference and comparison measurements as close together in time as practical.
If conditions change significantly, repeat the measurement.
Sensor Position Matters
For useful comparative measurements, maintain consistent:
Sensor position
Sensor orientation
Distance where relevant
Measurement location
Time interval
Environmental conditions
Changing the sensor angle between tests can affect the result.
Consistency is critical when the objective is comparison.
Does a Lower W/m Reading Mean Better Glass?
Not automatically.
A lower measured solar power reading behind one glazing configuration indicates a difference under the specific test conditions.
But the overall performance of architectural glass can involve multiple properties.
Depending on the application, professional evaluation may consider characteristics such as:
Visible light transmission
Solar transmission
Reflectance
Thermal performance
Glazing construction
Coatings
Insulation performance
Therefore, a handheld solar power measurement should not be presented as a complete window-performance certification.
Solar Power Meter vs Lux Meter for Glass Testing
These instruments measure different quantities.
Lux Meter
Measures illuminance in lux.
Useful when the question is related to visible lighting conditions.
Solar Power Meter
Measures incident radiant power per unit area, such as W/m.
Useful when the objective is to compare measured solar power.
For window testing, the correct instrument depends on what parameter you actually want to investigate.
Solar Power Meter vs Temperature Meter
Again, they answer different questions.
Solar Power Meter
Measures incident solar radiation.
Temperature Meter
Measures temperature.
A window may influence both solar radiation and thermal conditions, but measuring one parameter does not automatically provide the other.
For more detailed building studies, multiple instruments may be required.
Solar Power Meter vs Thermal Camera
A thermal camera displays temperature patterns.
It can help users investigate differences in surface temperature across windows, walls and building components.
A solar power meter instead measures incoming radiant power.
The two can therefore provide complementary information for certain building and energy-related investigations.
VICI LX-107 for Window Testing
The VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter provides portable solar power measurement.
Its functions include:
W/m Measurement
Useful for comparing solar radiation under different conditions.
BTU Display
Provides an additional unit for relevant applications.
MAX / MIN
Allows users to observe variations during the measurement period.
Data Hold
Allows a displayed measurement to be held for easier recording.
According to VICI, high-performance window identification is among the LX-107's intended application areas.
Using MAX/MIN During Glass Comparison
If sunlight is changing, MAX/MIN can provide additional information about the range of solar radiation observed.
However, do not simply compare the maximum value from one window with an instantaneous reading from another.
For better comparative work, maintain the same measurement method for each test.
Using Data Hold
Data Hold can be useful when the sensor is positioned where the display is difficult to record immediately.
The user can hold the measurement and then write down the result.
This is particularly convenient for field measurements around buildings and windows.
Applications for Building and Facility Teams
Portable solar power measurement may be relevant for:
Facility Management
Comparing solar radiation at different building locations.
Building Maintenance
Investigating areas exposed to strong sunlight.
Window and Glass Contractors
Performing basic comparative measurements.
Energy Consultants
Supporting preliminary building investigations.
Engineering Departments
Comparing environmental conditions around facilities.
Universities and Laboratories
Conducting solar and optical experiments.
Factory Office Window Example
Consider a factory office where one side of the building receives strong afternoon sunlight.
The facility team wants to compare different window areas.
Measurements may include:
Outside solar radiation: ______ W/m
Behind existing glass: ______ W/m
Behind alternative glazing: ______ W/m
Additional measurements might include:
Indoor temperature
Glass surface temperature
Lux level
Thermal images
Each instrument provides a different part of the overall picture.
Can LX-107 Test Window Film?
It can be used for comparative solar power measurements under suitable conditions.
For example, users may compare readings before and after a glazing or film configuration.
However, this should not automatically be described as a certified measurement of a film manufacturer's published performance specifications.
Professional specification verification may require standardised laboratory methods.
A Simple Comparative Measurement Record
A useful record may include:
Date: __________
Time: __________
Weather: __________
Glass / Window Type: __________
Reference solar reading: __________ W/m
Reading after glass: __________ W/m
Sensor orientation: __________
Measurement position: __________
Remarks: __________
Recording the conditions makes later comparisons more meaningful.
Beyond Window Testing
The LX-107 can also support other solar radiation applications.
According to VICI, these include:
Solar installation
Solar radiation measurement
Solar research
Physics laboratories
Optical laboratories
Meteorology
Agriculture
Industrial applications
High-performance window identification
This gives the instrument a wider application range than PV testing alone.
Who Should Consider the VICI LX-107?
Potential users include:
Solar installers
Glass and window contractors
Facility management teams
Building engineers
Energy consultants
Industrial maintenance teams
Universities
Research laboratories
Agricultural users
The key requirement is a need for portable solar power measurement.
VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter Supplier Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies testing and measurement instruments for solar, building, facility, industrial and engineering applications in Malaysia.
The VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter can be considered for users requiring portable W/m solar radiation measurements, including comparative window and glass applications.
For specialised certification or laboratory testing, customers should select instrumentation according to the required test standard and measurement procedure.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
WhatsApp: 016-660 7346
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Serving customers throughout Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.
Need a portable solar power meter for window, glass or solar transmission comparison? Contact MTM Precision for VICI LX-107 availability and measurement instrument enquiries in Malaysia.
08 Sep 2026
