EKO Instruments recently went to the NOAA observatory at Mauna Loa on Hawaii island (Latitude: 19.5362° North Longitude: 155.5763° West). Mauna Loa is a world-renowned research site for measuring solar radiation and atmospheric constituent concentrations. From aerosols to trace gases, NOAA and other institutions have installed a platform of  outstanding equipment and instrumentation used intended for long term monitoring. Long term data sets are critical to understanding the change in radiative effects these constituents are having on a changing climate. What makes Mauna Loa such a great site is the installation is above the planetary boundary layer (3397 masl), making it a perfect candidate for performing Langley calibrations. Langley calibrations make use of the sun as the source radiation signal with the high dynamic range seen over a wide range of air masses. Mauna Loa gives good opportunities for the calibration.

EKO’s primary goal of the trip was to perform this Langley calibration using each of our reference spectroradiometers (MS series 700, 701, 711, and 712). This calibration campaign will provide insight into possible improvements to our calibration processes as well as a wonderful opportunity to test new devices. With some additional work, we hope to provide a spectrometer based sensor for retrieving aerosol optical depth (AOD). These commercially available products would be a first instrument unlike sun photometers, the AOD values would be accompanied with high resolution spectrum data. All important information for understanding the radiative effects of changes in atmospheric constituents.

Something very new under the sun. We are proud to announce EKO's revolutionary new pyranometer, called MS-80. During the American meteorological Meeting (AMS) in New Orleans, LA. (January 11-14) we will introduce a revolutionary new sensor.

If you believed that “High-end” Solar sensors are only meant for research purposes, the EKO MS- 80 secondary standard pyranometer will prove you wrong.

EKO’s patent pending new generation ISO 9060 Secondary Standard sensor broke with the tradition of common pyranometer architecture and performance standards. The innovative design inspired by the latest technologies enabling a break through
 in unprecedented low thermal offset behaviour and 
fast thermopile response. The MS-80, ISO
 9060 Secondary standard Solar sensor developed for long term unattended outdoor operation to provide the lowest measurement uncertainties and best data availability under all atmospheric conditions when deployed in harsh environments.

EKO is proud to announce the extension of its warranty to 5 years for all its models of ISO 9060 pyranometers (Second Class, First Class and Secondary Standard) and pyrheliometers. 

This means you can now have a greater peace of mind in knowing that your sensor will deliver the most accurate data for a longer period covered by warranty. 

The 5-year warranty will be offered to all EKO customers purchasing ISO 9060 pyranometers and pyrheliometer from January 1st 2016.

PV system performance rating and testing methods require solar irradiance as an input parameter. For PV monitoring applications Solar Irradiance and PV module temperature are commonly measured. EKO universal 4-20mA and Modbus RS-485 RTU converters give full flexibility to combine different types of sensors within a multi sensor network. Solar radiation sensors and temperature sensors can be easily integrated allowing cost effective solutions when additional measurements are needed or when your network topology needs simplifying. Preserve or improve the sensor accuracy while complying to the output standards used in the industry.

2015/4/7, we hold the opening ceremony for EKO Inashiki Solar Park, the second solar power plant site constructed following the EKO Ami Solar Park. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for all the parties attended regardless of the bad weather. During the ceremony, some events were performed, such as (Shinto) ritual for praying the proper site operation, tape cutting and explanation of the plant facilities.

There are 5,880 PV modules installed in the park, and these can generate approx. 1,700,000kWh annually, which capacity equals to power consumption of 420 households. So it is expected that EKO could contribute to the local power infrastructure. We also use pyranometers for surveying solar radiation and the array monitoring system for power observation. It is the one of the main feature that the park is focusing on the power generation efficiency.

The new generation grating spectroradiometer MS-711 is designed to provide the most accurate solar spectral data outdoors. The MS-711 is a unique all weather sensor, without any moving parts. The detector core is temperature controlled to provide accurate irradiance measurement data within the spectral range from 300nm to 1100nm (UV / Visible / NIR). Designed and optimized for solar reserach applications. Superior to any fiber optics sensor, no moving parts. Mandetory for extensive solar spectral research in the field of energy meteorology, agronomy and material testing.