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.

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PRESS RELEASE:

New programme aims to support the next generation of scientists, meteorologists, students, and engineers to achieve their goals, starting with six university-based solar car racing teams.

EKO Instruments Co., Ltd today announced the launch of 'EKO | emPower' (emPower), a new global programme that aims to support the next generation of scientists, meteorologists, students, and engineers to achieve their goals, advance their ideas, and build a better, more sustainable, future.

Through technical partnerships, support, and the provision of industry-leading environmental sensors, EKO Instruments will contribute to activities and organisations that offer young people learning opportunities and practical experience in engineering, clean energy, and atmospheric sciences, starting with six university-based solar car racing teams.

The six teams, chosen from around the world, include 'Agoria Solar Team' from Belgium, winners of the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the 'University of Michigan Solar Car Team' from the United States, and the 'Kogakuin University Solar Team' from Japan, with others yet to be announced.

Through the 'emPower' programme, EKO will provide each team with sensors and technical support to aid their vehicles' development and help manage strategy and performance during solar car races and challenge events.

Speaking about 'emPower', EKO Instruments President, Toshikazu Hasegawa, said that "For over 90-years, our company has been driven to engineer the most accurate and innovative solutions for our customers across science, academia, and the renewable energy industries. With EKO emPower, we want to help the next generation to accelerate global efforts towards sustainability and contribute to improving education, reducing inequality, and eliminating discrimination."

EKO Instruments will share stories and experiences from each team via the EKO website, various social media, YouTube, and a new 'EKO | emPower' profile on Twitter. The company also aims to develop content, and online events, with leading academic researchers and industry figures active in the renewable energy and sustainable automotive sectors.

Beyond sponsorship, 'emPower' will also feature corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and promote internal work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Sustainability, and the global sustainability goals published by the United Nations, aren't only about solving problems today. They encourage us to focus on the future," explained President Hasegawa. "Through emPower, I hope we can contribute to a virtuous cycle of inspiration, innovation, and improvement that benefits all".

Follow 'EKO | emPower' on Twitter @ twitter.com/EKO_emPower, or contact 'marketing@eko-instruments.com' for more information.

Smarter software, for smarter sensors

by Hiroaki Kamoi, Application Engineer, EKO Japan

Solar PV generation increased by 31% in 2018, and with predicted annual average growth of 16% still on track between 2018 and 2030,[i] the demand for accurate, cost-saving, solar monitoring solutions is only going to grow.

While India, China and other countries compete to increase the size and efficiency of existing sites, or race to open new ‘mega’ PV parks, the quiet growth of smaller applications, including rooftop PV, is helping to democratise access to solar power.

At EKO, we develop industry and class-leading solar radiation sensors for any size of application. Still, with the rapid growth of solar, and greater variety of applications, we determined that a new approach to software was also required, that we needed to make it easier than ever to use your device, to get, visualise and understand the data.

‘Hibi’ for Windows OS is a new way to use, access and manage our latest advanced pyranometer, the MS-80S. Connect your computer to your MS-80S and with ‘Hibi’ you can check the onboard diagnostics, visualise your data, and choose your desired output; digital Modbus or SDI-12, and analogue 4-20mA or 0-1V.

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Opening the door to massive growth

by Caris Chan, Market Director, EKO China

The solar and renewable energy industries in China are already showing healthy signs of recovery following the height of the COVID pandemic. With the rapid growth of PV projects at home and abroad, the future of solar is truly being 'made' in China.

China was the first country to pass 100 GW of cumulative installed PV capacity in 2017, and in 2019 generated over 220,000 GWh of electricity from solar power; an increase of 26.5% over the previous year. Cumulative solar capacity reached 223 GW by the end of September 2020 and, despite the pandemic, China remains on course to add 34-38 GW in 2020.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is predicting that China will meet a target growth average of 35-44 GW annually from 2021 to 2025; securing China's position as the world's largest market for both photovoltaics and solar thermal energy, despite strong growth and projected investment in countries such as India and the US.

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