Measuring solar energy, how is it done and why is it important? Measuring solar energy is important. You measure the available energy, but not all this energy can be converted. That's what you need to measure. When measuring the solar panel, you will notice a difference. With a solar energy sensor (Pyranometer) you can determine its efficiency. At the Technical University Eindhoven (SEAC), a wide range of EKO solar sensors and PV evaluation equipment is used to measure the performance and efficiency of BIPV systems. Watch the video "How it's done"

(Broadcasted by RTL-Z "How it's done", June 2019)

Traditionally, pyranometer measurements were accomplished using sensors with an analog voltage output signal. From the pyranometer, this signal would be measured and recorded on a data logger in the field with the sensor. However, in recent years, users have preferred an on-board digital signal transducer built into the pyranometer body. This digital output can be read directly by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, data logger, or a computer. While many protocols could be used, many user communities have settled on using the serial communication Modbus RTU protocol over RS-485.

For years EKO has been manufacturing and providing pyranometers with built-in transducers, taking the signal from DC voltage to Modbus 485 RTU or DC voltage to 4-20mA current. Recently, EKO developed a new all-in-one sensor Smart signal transducer which allows selecting from 4 types of output in one unit. This new Smart transducer will also have additional features such as internal temperature and humidity sensors and a tilt sensor. These additional internal sensors will help the user to monitor the stability of the irradiance sensors as well as to ensure its proper installation and maintenance practices. Starting Q3 of 2019, pyranometers can be ordered with the basic analog output signal or with this new all-in-one Smart transducer. Following the introduction with pyranometers, EKO will expand the use of this transducer to other sensors and systems as well.

As with the original exploration of the world, the dynamics and oscillations of the oceans led researchers to new discoveries. Today, as our future relies on alternative energy sources, we must shift our focus from the waves of the ocean, to the oscillations of energy emitted from the sun and attenuated by the atmosphere dynamics. For years, solar energy and atmospheric scientists have yearned for better instrumentation to measure wavelength-by-wavelength the solar energy received at the Earth’s surface. Starting decades ago, EKO Instruments was a pioneer in developing cutting edge outdoor spectroradiometers for tackling the growing complex questions of multiple user groups. Building on years of successful hardware development, EKO proudly introduces the new Nami software.

Borrowing from EKO’s Japanese origin, Nami (波)is the Japanese word for wave. Nami will provide users with a software platform that is designed around optimizing the user experience. The new user interface’s design focuses on optimizing usability and interactions, resulting in a clean, simplified dashboard that enhances the user experience of our sensors. In the past, EKO relied on two separate pieces of software when working with their spectroradiometers. One for control and data acquisition (WSDaq), and another for visualizing the data (WSDisp). Nami combines these two pieces of software while adding functionality. These functionality improvements coincide with the recently introduced EKO RSB-01S rotating shadow band spectroradiometer system(s). Users will be able to measure and visualize all three components 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. 

EKO is committed to providing a dynamic software platform that keeps pace with a variety of user communities. Whether you are a meteorologist, plant scientist, photovoltaic researcher, or material scientist, EKO spectroradiometers and nami software will meet your current needs and grow with your applications. New features will be incorporated into future releases of Nami intended for a variety of field applications. If you are needing to make spectral measurements, please contact your local EKO regional office and see how EKO can help solve the problems of your application.

The continuous measurement of the direct normal, diffuse horizontal, and global horizontal 
components of spectral irradiance (DNI, DHI, GHI) is critical to many environmental science and solar energy applications. This spectral irradiance is modified by changing concentrations of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols, creating a need for continuous monitoring. While many satellites try to retrieve information about these atmospheric constituents, a bottom up approach is critical to validate the satellite data and to measure the actual radiative effect at the surface. EKO Instruments has been an innovative company with tradition in outdoor radiometric measurements with more than half a century of experience in the field of solar spectroradiometry. Recently, EKO has been developing new products and measurement methodologies which are under study at the Izaña Atmospheric Research Center (IARC) from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia (AEMET). 

The Research Center is situated on the island of Tenerife, Spain (28.3°N, 16.5°W) at a high-altitude mountain site (2367 m above sea level), presenting an ideal location for evaluating solar radiation sensors and performing Langley calibrations. Furthermore, the site contains high-end instrumentation installed for atmospheric research, with the particularity of being one of the participants of the AERONET network for aerosol monitoring. Hence, a proper evaluation of the atmospheric parameters retrieved with a spectroradiometer can be performed at the test site. 

Methodologies are developed to extend the solar spectrum (280-4000nm) measurements outside of the EKO spectroradiometers wavelength range (300-1100nm) based on radiative transfer models. As well as to estimate other atmospheric parameters such as aerosol optical depth (AOD) based on the spectroradiometer measurements. Adding these additional parameters to the spectral data set will present added value to the research communities in atmospheric and environmental sciences, and in solar energy. Additionally, EKO has introduced a new device, the RSB-01 rotating shadow band, intended to operate with the EKO spectroradiometers to measure the global and diffuse horizontal spectral irradiances, and compute the direct normal spectral irradiance.

With this research project, EKO aims to explore the untapped potential of its spectroradiometers by developing measurement methodologies to quantify atmospheric parameters based on ground-based solar spectral measurements, as well as to evaluate the performance of the instruments recently introduced by EKO.

High-precision control of the STR-32G system orientation.

Not many trackers can accomplish this task. The EKO STR-32G was selected as a platform to install solar irradiance sensors on and provide the researchers at NREL with the ability to move the equipment into any orientation. Read the article

The EKO sun-tracker, model STR-22G, was selected for its reliability and durability by the JMA Antarctic Observation project in 2004. Two sun-trackers are permanently deployed under extreme weather condtions at the Showa Station in Antarctic region ever since. We asked Mr. Mori from the Office of Antarctic Observation at the Japan Meteorological Agency how the sun tracker performed under the most extreme weather conditions.

Mr. Mori explained how they are very satisfied with the two EKO sun-tracker systems which are deployed on-site. One of the great advantages of STR-22 is its reliabity and durability. The compact sun-tracker is very rugged and greatly performs under severe temperatures. Mr. Mori reported that one sun-trackers is used for Direct Normal Irradiance and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance measurement, and a second unit serves for Long Wave Radiation and Atmospheric Turbidity measurements.

Even though the EKO sun-trackers don't require any regular maintenance, the trackers for the Antarctic project were serviced on a routine basis. The research site is very remote which makes the logistics more difficult. To ensure a year-round operation with zero down-time, there is one extra unit on-site for incidental back-up. A fourth sun-tracker is kept a the EKO service center in Tokyo for a periodic maintenance check. There are a total of 4 units of Sun trackers used in Antarctica observation project. EKO Instruments performs a periodic maintenance check by exchange of one unit every year. The harmonic gears inside the STR-22G have proven to be most durable and smooth running after 14 years.

EKO is committed to develop the best, most stable and reliable products to be deployed under harsh weather conditions. This way EKO could contribute to Antarctic observation project and we like to specially thank Mr. Mori and the people of the Antarctic observation station for their valuable feedback and good partnership.

(Photo provided by Office of Antarctic Observation, Japan Meteorological Agency)