As important experimental devices, solar simulators are widely used in the fields of space technology, aerospace and solar energy industry. During the development of solar simulator, the joining of light emitting diode (LED) has an important impact on the property enhancement of solar simulator. Firstly, the development background of solar simulator is briefly introduced, and the advantages and value of light source LED are expounded. Then, the standards of performance evaluation for solar simulator are enumerated and every standard is introduced and compared with each other. Structure, control and optical design of representative LED solar simulator at home and abroad are narrated. Comparisons of spectral matching degree, irradiation inhomogeneity and irradiation instability are made. Finally, priority research and development tendency of LED solar simulator are summarized.