Recently, EKO USA exhibited the MS-711 spectroradiometer with rotating shadow band at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) in Washington D.C. EKO spectroradiometers are used by the top research institutions as well as by many private companies. The addition of the rotating shadow band is an inexpensive way to resolve the three components of solar radiation without purchasing sun trackers and additional spectroradiometers. EKO USA also displayed some new weather stations courtesy of Rainwise. Rainwise has been building all-in-one weather stations for many years but recently began integrating EKO pyranometers for their solar radiation measurements.

With great excitement, we are happy to issue our first News Letter of 2017. Moving forward, we will issue the News Letter on a quarterly basis and will use this platform to announce our activities and also share valuable field information with all of our readers.

By issuing our first News Letter, we will briefly introduce EKO Instruments. We have 90 years of splendid history and during all of those years we have continually supplied advanced technology measurement equipment across the world. Well known international research firms, top government metrological associations, as well as the ever-growing number of photovoltaic sites have received our equipment and we have built an incredibly high reputation with all of them.

To demonstrate our advanced technology and excellent quality through attention to detail, EKO became the first ISO 17025 accredited manufacturer for the calibration of pyranometers and pyrheliometers, as well as for viscometers. While we originally received accreditation in 2013, we remain the only manufacturer who can make this prestigious claim.

We believe this News Letter will be an excellent communication tool between our sincere users and everybody who has interest in EKO activities. 

Sincerely,

Toshikazu Hasegawa

President and CEO

EKO Instruments Co., Ltd.

The new MS-57 pyrheliometer was inspired by the latest development of the MS-80 pyranometer enabling a break through
 in unprecedented low thermal offset behavior and 
fast thermopile response. The MS-57 real time performance with combined low measurement uncertainty makes Solar Irradiance measurements more realistic. 

Compared to all other pyrheliometers in the market the MS-57 has improved long-term stability properties. Therefore, the recommended period of recalibration can be extended to 5 years, which is typically 2 years for other sensor models in the market. The long-term stability of the sensor responsivity is less than 0.5% in a period of 5 years which makes it unique. 

The ISO First Class pyrheliometer “MS-57” is a high precision solar radiation sensor which is well suited to be used as a reference instrument for precise and accurate direct solar irradiance measurements and routine operation on a solar tracker.

The STR-21G-S is EKO's new integrated measurement system to measure all Solar irradiance components (DNI / GHI / GDI).  The system is based on nowadays most advanced sensor and sun tracker technology, which provide the lowest measurement uncertainty in accordance with ISO 9060. 

The STR sun tracker is an established reference and was deployed to many research projects in the world including Antarctica. With the cutting edge MS-80 Secondary standard pyranometer and MS-56 First Class pyrheliometer the STR-21G-S system can be freely configured to measure the required Solar radiation components. Hence a cost effective solution can be created for each application.

As an option the MV-01 ventilator & heater can be used with the pyranometer to ensure data availability. The MS-56 pyrheliometer has a standard heated front window to avoid condensation, snow and ice.

With MV-01 ventilator & heater you can improve the data availability of the MS-80 pyranometer. The MS-80 with ventilator will extend the sensor maintenance interval period and assures the availability of Solar data when deployed in cold climate regions or desert environments. MV-01 is compatible with the MS-80, MS-60 and MS-40 pyranometers.

Unlike all other manufacturers, EKO pyranometer and pyrheliometer can be calibrated in accordance with ISO17025. ISO17025 accredits that the recipient organization has achieved the highest technical and managerial expertise possible. Since 2013, we have maintained our accreditation under ISO17025. Recently, we had the 5th round of audits and passed without any issue. The auditor even gave us high praise for the personnel and practices used by EKO.