Solar Monitoring Stations for Accurate Data

MS-80SH Plus +

by EKO Instruments

View EKO Instruments on TEKEN44

A precise Solar Monitoring Station to measure diffuse measurement, The MS-80SH Plus+ system features the top-tier EKO MS-80SH ISO 9060:2018 Class A Spectrally Flat & Fast Response Pyranometer, equipped with integrated dome heating. Combined with a Rotating Shadow Band (RSB) setup, it delivers precise Global, Diffuse, and Direct irradiance data. This system offers a cost-effective, low maintenance solution tailored for the expanding variety of solar power plant locations and Photovoltaic (PV) applications. The RSB-02 Rotating Shadow Band features a motorized rotating band that periodically shades and unshades the stationary MS-80SH pyranometer while operating in RSB mode. This design allows for the measurement of all three irradiance components with a single sensor. The system leverages the pyranometer’s fast response and spectrally flat thermopile technology to deliver accurate irradiance data, even under varying sky and spectral conditions. Additionally, using an ISO 9060 Class A pyranometer simplifies calibrations by enabling ISO 9847 standardized calibration procedures to reduce uncertainties and associated costs. Coupling the MS-80SH Plus+ with an additional pyranometer allows for the determination of further irradiance parameters, such as ground-reflected irradiance and albedo. For applications like monitoring bifacial PV systems and complying with the IEC 61724-1 Class A monitoring standard, where diffuse irradiance measurements require higher accuracy, the system offers an additional operation mode: the Tracking Shadow Band (TSB) mode. In TSB mode, the band actively tracks the sun to provide constant and precise diffuse irradiance measurements. The control unit C-Box includes GPS to accurately determine the sun’s position and adjust the RSB band accordingly. It features RS-485 Modbus RTU output, enabling seamless connection to various devices, such as dataloggers and SCADA systems, for delivering irradiance and sensor diagnostics data. To further complement this solution, EKO has developed Obi, a Windows software for sensor communication and data acquisition. A practical solution to the increasing diversity of solar power plant locations and Photovoltaic (PV) applications, the MS-80SH Plus+ can easily be deployed. This solution can provide a major benefit in terms of compliance with the updated IEC 61724-1 guidelines, as carrying out both GHI and DHI measurements is a criteria to fulfill the standard best practices when monitoring bifacial photovoltaic modules. Key Features: ISO 9060 Class A pyranometer, spectrally flat, fast response GHI, DHI and DNI measurements in one compact solution Cost-effective, no sun-tracker required Inbuilt GPS for quick, accurate setup Easy Modbus Integration with any DAQ system Low Power Consumption *Patent number: E0126AOP0001 (Japan: Patent No. 7160429; Europe: EP3324159A; U.S.: US 11,821,786 B1; China: ZL 2022 8 0004577.2).