November 19th, 2014, EKO Instruments co. ltd. held the 13^th annual Symposium at Tokyo, Japan. The yearly event, to share business knowledge and all latest topics, is considered as a valuable and important meeting not only for people working in the PV field but in general renewable Markets in Japan.

This year theme ”the future of photovoltaic generation”, five panelists spoke about the trend of energy policy, challenges and sustainabilty of long-term operation. The EKO panelist gave a lecture about irradiance measurements and photovoltaic generation at EKO Ami-PV site after one year operation.

EKO Instruments Co. Ltd. offers ISO17025:2005/ISO9847 accredited pyranometer and pyrheliometer calibrations as a unique in-house service, providing  the  best quality solar sensor calibrations compliant to ISO17025/ISO9847 international standards.

EKO Instruments Co. Ltd. calibration laboratory are accredited and certified by PJLA (Ref: #74158) to perform pyranometer and pyrheliometer calibrations in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC17025, which are relevant to calibration and testing.

EKO can offer a unique manufacturer calibration service for pyranometers (Thermopile and Si detector models) and pyrheliometers in-house. Based on the applied calibration methods EKO provides the best quality solar sensor calibrations compliant to the international standards defined by ISO/IEC17025 / 9847 (Indoor method) and 9059 (Outdoor method), as defined by the scope of calibrations.

ISO/IEC17025 provides a globally accepted basis for laboratory accreditation that specifies the management and technical requirements. With calibrations performed at the EKO Instruments laboratory we enable our customers to:

• Clearly identify the applied calibration methods and precision
• Be traceable to the World Radiation Reference (WRR) through defined industrial standards:
  • ISO9846 Calibration of a pyranometer using a pyrheliometer
  • ISO9847 Calibration of field pyranometer by comparison to a reference pyranometer
  • ISO9059 Calibration of field pyrheliometers by comparison to a reference pyrheliometer

• Obtain repeatable and reliable calibration test results through consistent operations examined independently to assure strict compliance to the requirements.

Our clients will obtain a high level of confidence when purchasing an ISO/IEC17025 calibrated sensor. Our Accredited lab is yearly re-examined to ensure that they maintain their standards of technical expertise.

The new MP-11 answers to the demand to test large capacity PV strings up to 18kW with a short reponse (sweep time). The MP-11 I-V checker is designed for the professional user, which need to provide accurate PV plant performance data in an outdoor environment.

Based on EKO Instruments long tradition in manufacturing I-V tracers and Solar radiation sensors, the MP-11 Power Performance Checker is the best tool to perform accurate power performance and integrity tests of PV modules or arrays on site. The all in one measurement solution makes PV module testing very easy, hence all required accessories like the radiation sensor, temperature sensors, cables and PC software for control and extended data analysis are included in one portable enclosure. For the engineer who is responsible for the electrical system, inspection, periodical maintenance and commissioning, the MP-11 performance checker will make the job easier than ever before.

In September 2013, EKO Instruments participated again in the 17th annual National Pyrheliometer Comparison held at NREL in Golden, Colorado. EKO has participated for the last 3 years using as new MS-56 fast response pyrheliometer coupled with our STR-22G sun tracker. The NPC was attended by over 30 scientist in the are of solar radiation measurement. In the variety of instruments from several institutions such as NOAA, Sandia National Labs, FSCC, NASA, JRC-ISPRA and others.

EKO Instruments' participates both IPC at Davos, Switzerland to assure that its calibrations are traceable to WRR. In addition, participation in NPC assures that our standards are maintained and but our instruments are traceable to the WRR and NREL. It was interesting to see that many of the participants utilized EKO STR-22G sun trackers for this event.

In addition, the first intercomparison of spectroradiometer was held at NREL. EKO's WISER system consisting of our MS-710 and MS-712 spectroradiometers performed excellently compared to NREL's calibration standards. Our WISER system is now being utilized in the US at NIST, NREL, Sandia National Labs and other institutions and organizations and fast becoming a base instrument for the study of climate, meteorology, renewable energy and materials.

The new SRF-02 All-sky camera is a fully automatic imaging system that captures images of the total sky. The camera consists of a new advanced auto exposure digital camera with a 2M pixel resolution in a weatherproof housing. A 180° field of view optic provides the possibility to make high quality color pictures of the sky. The system allows making pictures with automated normal exposure time and under-exposure time. This unique method allows analysis of the sky and cloudiness under full sun light conditions without the need for a shading device.

The All Sky camera is available in two different versions (with air pump + drying cartridge and built in drying cartridge). The drying cartridge version is advised to be used at remote sites with limited power facilities and accommodation to stall the airpump inside a building. Additionally a sun screen can be applied to extend the operating temperature range of the camera.

The new ML-01 Si-sensor is the link between the reference cell and broadband thermopile pyranometer. Compared to the reference sensors it has a proper cosine response and it is compact. Furthermore, the ML-01 benefits from the same characteristics as a PV module (response time, spectral and temperature response). 

The ML-01 is an industrial grade solar sensor specially made for performance ratio measurements as well as for applications in meteorology, agricultural and environmental studies.