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.

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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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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.