EKO China Distributor' Keytec' Awarded 'Top 10 Highlight' Status at SNEC International Conference & Exhibition

by  Caris Chan, Market Director, EKO China

Beijing Keytec Technology Co., Ltd, the only officially approved EKO Instruments distributor in China, was selected as one of the 'Top 10 Highlights' at the SNEC International Solar Photovoltaic and Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition in Shanghai, held on June 3-5, 2021.

The SNEC organising committee selected the 'Top 10' awardees from a shortlist of exhibitors whose products or solutions offer a significant 'advance' over existing technology, are new or original, or contribute positively to society. The award itself aims to encourage research and celebrate technological innovation in the photovoltaic industry.

Keytec was chosen as an event 'highlight' based on a new variation of the MS-90 Plus+ Trackerless Solar Monitoring Station, the MS-90R, developed exclusively for the Chinese market.

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Aerosol and Precipitable water vapor retrievals with the MS-711 Spectroradiometer

by  Dr. Mario Po, Research Scientist, EKO EU

The continuous measurement of the direct normal, diffuse horizontal, and global horizontal components of spectral irradiance is key to many environmental science and solar energy applications. Likewise, spectral irradiance is modified by changing concentrations of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols, creating a need for continuous monitoring. Adding methods for atmospheric parameter retrievals based on spectral irradiance data sets will present added value to the atmospheric, environmental science, and solar energy, research communities.

In recent studies, researchers at the Izaña Atmospheric Research Center (IARC), part of the Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia (AEMET), have explored this potential with EKO spectroradiometers, developing a methodology to quantify atmospheric parameters based on ground-based solar spectral measurements.

The EKO MS-711 grating spectroradiometer was installed at the facility, on an EKO STR-22G Sun tracker with collimation. The setup allowed researchers to measure direct normal spectral irradiance within the 300 and 1100 nm wavelength range with a 0.4nm step and <7nm Full width half maximum (FWHM).

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PRESS RELEASE:

The award was presented by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Mr Koichi Hagiuda, at a ceremony in Tokyo on 14/04/2021.

EKO Instruments Co., Ltd (Tokyo, Japan) President Toshikazu Hasegawa was presented with a Science & Technology Award by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Mr Koichi Hagiuda, at a ceremony in Tokyo on 14/04/2021.

EKO Instruments was selected to receive the award, by Minister Hagiuda, based on the development of the innovative MS-80 pyranometer.

Launched in 2016, the MS-80 was a revolution in pyranometer design and accuracy. Together with its successor, the MS-80S, the MS-80 remains an industry-leading sensor and one of the fastest 'spectrally flat' ISO 9060:2018 Class A pyranometers available today.

During the traditional Japanese award ceremony, Minister Hagiuda announced that "this achievement recognises an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of science and technology in Japan".

After the ceremony, President Hasegawa said, "I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the EKO engineers who worked so hard to create a new generation of pyranometers, a design that still has no real rival". Though "the MS-80 has since proven itself around the world as the most accurate, and reliable, fast response pyranometer", he explained, "we must continue to listen to the needs of our customers and maintain our lead in accuracy, and quality".

Find out more about the MS-80, and MS-80S, Class A Pyranometers at eko-eu.com, or contact marketing@eko-instruments.com for more information.

The EKO Sun Tracker called 'Robot'

by Huzefa Motiwala, India Country Manager

Universities are using EKO products in India to research agricultural applications for artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and drone technology.

The National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) was launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2017 to attract talent and strengthen higher agricultural education in the country. The project is supported by the World Bank and India's government, with the overarching goal of raising standards, leading to more jobs and increased entrepreneurship.

Under NAHEP, a team of researchers at Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) who wanted to monitor and collect global, diffuse and direct radiation data in real-time, decided to create their own custom monitoring station. After researching various instruments, they built their new system called ‘Robot’ using EKO STR-21G Sun Trackers and an MS-80S Pyranometer; with an MP-11 I-V Checker for PV inspections and accurate on-site I-V measurements.

‘Robot’ now supports research and all manner of projects related to solar energy applications in agriculture by measuring Diffused Horizontal Irradiance (DHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI).

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Re: Unauthorised dealers in China

EKO Instruments China recently discovered evidence of unauthorised dealers claiming to be the official partner or distributor of EKO Instruments in China, potentially offering or selling counterfeit UVB, MS-90, and MS-80 sensors, to bidders or suppliers associated with the "Jiangsu Province VOCs Hazardous Gas Monitoring Project".

As of 15/07/2020, KEYTEC is the only officially approved EKO Instruments distributor in China.

EKO Instruments cannot guarantee the authenticity of any product purchased via an unauthorised or un-approved sales channel, and therefore cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage.

If you would like to discuss purchasing authentic EKO sensors or have been approached by an unauthorised dealer and wish to share your concerns, please contact info@eko-chn.com.

How the next-generation is pushing the boundaries of solar

EKO Instruments is sponsoring the University of Michigan Solar Car Team (UM Solar Car) and five other teams from around the world at the next 'Bridgestone World Solar Challenge', as part of the 'EKO | emPower' programme; providing the latest environmental instruments, technical partnerships, and support to young scientists, designers, students, and engineers around the world. Helping them to innovate, achieve their goals, advance their ideas, and build a better, more sustainable, future.

Since their founding in 1989, UM Solar Car has built 15 solar race cars and are currently working on production of their latest model for the American Solar Challenge. In addition to winning this event nine times, the team has also secured 7 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge podium finishes and won the 2015 Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge to become America's undisputed #1 solar car team.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge announced on the 12th of February that this year's event had been cancelled, due to ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The next race will occur in two years. EKO Instruments will continue to support the Michigan University Solar Car Team through the emPower programme as they adapt to new challenges and prepare for 2023.

Find out more about 'emPower' and UM Solar Car by downloading the full story, originally published in North American Clean Energy (NACE) magazine, Volume 15, Issue 2.

Click here to download.