Sensor/Detector
Photodiode packaged in hermetically sealed UV glass window cap.
Operation
To operate your Solarmeter, aim the sensor window located on the top panel of the meter directly at a UV source. Press and hold the push-button switch on the face of the meter. For best results take note of the distance the reading was taken from the UV source in order to ensure repeatable results. Battery operation voltage is viable from 9V down to 6.5V. Below 6.5V, the numbers on the LCD display will begin to dim, indicating the need for battery replacement. Under typical service load, a standard 9V battery will last approximately 2 years.
Proper Usage of Solarmeter® Ultraviolet Radiometer for Lamp Tests
Wear UV-block eye, face, hand protection when checking UVC lamps.
Allow lamps to warm-up prior to taking readings (at least 5 min).
Hold sensor close to lamp to measure individual lamp UVC intensity. Hold sensor at distance from lamp(s) for effective sterilization intensity.
When checking aging of lamps, keep measuring distance and locations constant.
Lamps should be replaced when output drops to about 70% of their original (new) readings.
If unsure of what original new values were, replace a lamp with new one and compare old one.
Do not subject the meter to extremes in temperature, humidity, shock or dust.
Use a dry, soft cloth to clean the instrument. Keep sensor free of oil, dirt, etc.
TOP REVIEWS
Easy Street
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020
Works exactly as advertised.
Got mine today and tested it with a number of UV-C Sterilization Wands, LEDs, Lamps and some protective eye wear. This Meter registered zero (000) when it should have, and accurately measured UV-C levels from various UV-C LEDs, and from small to large UV-C Lamps including a 36 Watt UV-C Tube which exceeded the maximum reading at several inches distance. At this price, I'd like memory and graphing over time functions, but no one else is doing this well at this price point at this time, so they get my vote and my purchase.
TOMOKAZU SUGITA TOMOKAZU SUGITA
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2026
Accurate results, just like the AH-UVCBA
I tested the Solarmeter Model 8.0 UVC Meter alongside the AquaHorti AH-UVCBA, and both provide consistent and accurate UVC measurements. Both meters gave almost identical readings in my tests, which makes them reliable tools for UVC measurement. I found the Solarmeter to be a solid and easy-to-use device, and it performs just as well as the AH-UVCBA in terms of accuracy. For anyone looking for precise UVC readings, either of these meters would be a great choice.
Backman
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020
great meter, great price.
Can show any UV-C emission from standard fluorescents (shouldn't be any), and measure the emission of UV-C sterilization lamps (aging, efficiency, etc).
Tianyi Liu
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2025
Dead battery on arrival but easily fixed
The battery was already dead when I received it, other than that it’s fine
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Ok
Ok
Naresh
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020
good product
Easy to use
David B
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2017
Five Stars
good functional meter
My Fake Name
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2017
UVC meter comes with NIST certificate
July 11, 2017 This device, made by Solar Light Company, Inc., is the Solarmeter Model 8.0 UVC meter. You know how you think of light as being in the UVA and UVB ranges (where “UV” means Ultra Violet”). Those ranges of light, whose frequency is so high that they are barely invisible to the naked eye, are generated by the sun as well as other sources of light. UVC rays generated by the sun struggle then give up and die before getting through Earth’s atmosphere (which is why we need the ozone layer of Earth to stop shrinking), but they are emitted by sources here on Earth such as germicidal lamps (on purpose) and welding torches (not on purpose). UVC rays are just as invisible as and arguably more dangerous or more useful than UVA and UVB rays, which means that under certain circumstances those UVC rays should be measured. The product under review does just that. It blocks UVA and UVB rays and measures UVC rays from 0 to 1999 microwatts per square centimeter. You aim it at the source, push a button, and the display at the top of the front of the rectangular box shows how many µw were detected in that square centimeter. If the display shows 17 then everything is probably OK, but if it’s 1,830 and it’s supposed to be only 1,200 then you might have a problem that needs fixing. FWIW, it measures at approximately 254 nanometers. The accuracy of the product under review is what’s called “NIST-traceable,” which means each particular device has been tested according to the standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is regarded as the universal keeper of such defined knowns as how long a meter is, and a piece of paper attesting to the results is included in each box. Presumably the manufacturer doesn’t sell any devices that fail. I use this product mainly to test my friends’ and family members’ ability to detect and measure UVC rays. First, on a clear day at noon I have them stare into the sun for a couple minutes, then look at a welding torch for a couple more minutes. Second, I ask them how many microwatts they think the welding torch gave off per centimeter squared, which answer I’ve already measured using the Solarmeter Model 8.0 UVC Meter - Measures 254 +/-8nm with range from 0-1999 µW/cm² UVC. Most of them are way off and blind, so don’t try this at home. You can test whether a particular lamp is giving off enough UVC power to kill certain germs, you can test whether a particular lens of a pair of eclipse glasses is really doing its job blocking UVC, and you can test whether it’s safe from the standpoint of UVC rays for a Schrodinger cat to spend 2 hours 7 minutes tanning on an equatorial beach on Venus (Answer: No, the limit appears to 2 hours 6 minutes). For the reasons above I award all five stars.
Kenneth Scott Butcher
Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2020
Worked well.
A UV-C meter needs to cutout visible light and still read the UV-C, this meter does that. We found it quite useful for what we were doing.
Leonard
Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2023
Works well but grossly overpriced
I don't know what else to say. It gets the job done but extremely pricey.
Wilfred Seerattan
Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2020
works as advertised
excellent
4 out of 5
30 global ratings
5 star
45%
4 star
40%
3 star
0%
2 star
8%
1 star
7%