Scientists in Germany now have 'sunlight' at the touch of a button having successfully turned on the world's biggest solar simulator for the first time.

The artificial light, which has been created from 149 powerful short-arc lamps, has just been tested out at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) near Cologne.

Researchers say the aim of the experiment is to improve the production processes for solar fuels, including hydrogen, which they believe will be an important renewable energy source in the future.