Why is it Gaining Momentum?

Bifacial Photovoltaic (PV) modules have nothing to do with face creams, skincare, or tanning; and everything to do with the future of solar power generation.

‘Bifacial PV’ modules are a type of solar panel designed to receive solar irradiance front and rear, generating power on both sides and, in a nutshell, that allows for new possibilities in solar power; alternatives to the conventional south orientation and latitude-based tilt optimisation of traditional projects.

New possibilities mean greater flexibility, greater power generation potential, and a great deal more excitement.

Indeed, the 2 Vs. 1-way power generation potential of Bifacial PV modules is helping to drive growth in PV power generation projects, despite reduced government incentives globally, with the ‘International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics’ predicting that Bifacial PV modules will represent 35% of the PV module market share by 2028.

This all sounds great, and indeed, with Bifacial PV you would naturally expect increases in yield and performance, however, there are uncertainties as to how much actual yield can be expected at each location. Like traditional PV projects, modelled yields and returns are needed to determine project scope, design, and to help secure financing.

That being the case, researchers around the world are working to define just how much additional power these new modules will make at different sites, under different sky conditions, and in different string configurations.

Performance monitoring of PV sites has for years required continuous measurements of the solar broadband irradiance, with instruments deployed in Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) and Plane of Array (POA) irradiance orientations. Now the added parameter of upward or reflected irradiance (RI) must be monitored too.

Enter EKO Instruments!

EKO Albedometers like the MS-80 are capable of being mounted in a traditional albedo measurement configuration, one sensor measuring the downward irradiance and another measuring upward irradiance; both levelled horizontally with the surface. And EKO is unique in the PV industry for its complete product line of research-grade equipment.

With EKO, researchers can source the sensors they need to study the true performance of bifacial PV modules. Get in touch to find out more.

This article was featured in EKO/Environment. Click here OR on the 'Subscribe' button below to register for future EKO e-newsletters.

2020 is shaping up to be a big year in Japan with the upcoming Tokyo Olympics already driving major advances in technology, and workstyles across both industry and society.
 
EKO has always embraced a spirit of innovation in our work and the products and technologies we develop. Now, with the new year fast approaching, we want to make some major positive changes in how we communicate with you, our friends, partners and customers.
 
We’ve already re-launched our presence on social media with updates on Linked In, a new YouTube channel, and a new Japanese language Facebook page, and we are now pleased to announce a whole new approach to our email communications.
 
The old-style EKO Newsletter is ending and we are replacing it with two new publications:

Finding EKO online used to be a bit of a challenge. We have a website of course, but we haven’t been the most ‘digitally’ minded; ironic for a company that has been at the forefront of scientific instrumentation in meteorological and environmental analysis for over 90 years.

Though we still take pride in building direct relationships with our customers and partners, the fact is that our world has gotten a lot bigger over the years. In 2007, we established EKO Instruments USA Inc., and in April 2008 EKO Instruments Europe B.V. was launched in The Netherlands. Since then we’ve expanded into India, China, and South America too. EKO sensors are now deployed around the world; from solar parks near Tokyo to mountain tops 2,367m above sea level, and the cold extremes of the Antarctic.

Though we don’t anticipate too many enquiries from the South Pole, its clear that we need to make it easier to get in touch with EKO wherever you are.

That’s why we are pleased to announce the re-vamp and re-launch of EKO on social, across LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube; with a new look, regular updates, and all new content.

LinkedIn has become our main English language channel, with Facebook now available in Japanese. On YouTube meanwhile, you will soon see a whole slew of videos, from product demo’s, and interviews, to fun little tests, and insights into life at EKO.

Get in touch on social, and follow us to find out more about the latest developments in #SolarPV, #RenewableEnergy, and much much more.

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EKO Instruments, Tokyo, Japan, is well known for its advanced measurement instruments for solar energy industry. Irradiance instruments such as pyranometers, pyrheliometers and sun trackers can be found at solar monitoring stations on solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) plants around the world. EKO I-V curve tracers are widely used to monitor the electrical properties and the performance ratio of the PV modules on site and in the laboratories. Furthermore, different PV technologies are known to have different spectral responses, the EKO spectroradiometers have been a crucial tool for scientific research and advances on the outdoor PV performance evaluation. What is less known about EKO Instruments is its work in generation of solar energy. Since 2012, the company has built two corporately owned PV parks with a total nominal power of 2.7MW. These PV parks not only contributed to a great experimental platform for new developments, but also have a tremendous impact on their general ecological strategy.

Read the full article published in PES >>

Nami is the new software platform to extend the measurements functionality of the spectroradiometer (MS-711). With the Nami software and Rotating Shadowband Pyranometer (RSB-01) users will be able to measure and visualize all three components (DNI, GHI, DHI) of spectral irradiance easily and simultaneously with Nami. Additional visualization capabilities include the ability to toggle between current or historical spectra quickly. While viewing the data, users can create scientific presentation quality images without moving their data to another piece of software. Reference spectra such as ASTM G173 have been loaded into the software for additional comparative tools. Explore the functionality of Nami and see how your global MS-711 spectroradiometer can be turned into a three-component measurenent system.

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