A solar simulator simulates sunlight, especially its almost parallel rays (only half degree divergence. That is what creates sharp shadow edges and really bright highlights. Now, the solar simulators at work also duplicated full brightness/illuminance, which I don't really need.
What I want is something that creates almost collimated beam, but covers a broad area, big enough to illuminate any model and my photo backgrounds. And- not have to be placed a hundred feet away. I have a sun porch, but in winter the sun is so low on horizon that it is hard to use for photographs. Window frames, etc. always in way, and I'd have to put model and backdrop on floor, and my tripod wouldn't work down there (I like camera lens as close to scale eye height as possible).