#USA #EKO Instruments #MS-80SH #solar sensors #Hill County

EKO Instruments Enhances Texas Solar Project with Advanced Sensor Technology

EKO Instruments USA has officially announced the installation of its sophisticated weather stations featuring the MS-80SH Pyranometer at the noteworthy 110MW Three W Solar project site, operated by Mitsui Co., Ltd. in Hill County, Texas. This remarkable installation was conducted just before the commissioning and capacity testing phases, serving as a crucial element in guaranteeing precise performance measurements at this solar facility designated for the ERCOT market.

The MS-80SH solar sensors, categorized as Class A, are designed to deliver irradiance data that is spectrally flat and exhibits rapid response capabilities. These measurements will be relayed to data loggers from Campbell Scientific. The data will be integrated into a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which ensures high accuracy, resolution, and precision in the dataset that the site operator will utilize. A notable feature of the MS-80SH is its effective dome heating function, which helps keep the sensor cover clear of frost, an essential functionality given Texas's winter and spring weather conditions.

In this project, Emerson's Ovation™ Green solar solutions play a pivotal role by merging solar field device data, which includes the data gathered from the EKO sensors across the weather stations, into a unified intelligent platform. This integration fosters supervisory control and provides a comprehensive overview of solar site operations. The combined technologies from EKO and Emerson promise to bolster ongoing and long-term performance monitoring, thereby assisting in verifying the solar site's yield.

The energy produced at the site will cater to the wholesale market and will also be sold to industrial customers, facilitated through Mitsui’s fully-owned subsidiary, Mitsui Co, Energy Marketing and Services (USA), Inc. (MEMS). This initiative is a strategic advancement in fulfilling the growing demand for renewable energy in the ERCOT market while striving for vertical integration within Mitsui's energy value chain from generation to retail.

Wayne Burnett, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer of EKO Instruments USA, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing renewable energy initiatives. He stated, "We are proud to support Mitsui Co. in fulfilling its renewable energy ambitions with our reliable solar measurement technologies. The precision of EKO's Class A pyranometers and weather station setups is vital for effective performance monitoring and data-driven optimization across the plant's lifespan. Initiatives like this underline our dedication to going 'beyond accuracy' while helping facilitate a global shift towards innovative and dependable energy solutions."

EKO Instruments, headquartered in Japan, has a long-standing reputation for ensuring high precision within solar energy sensors and environmental science ventures. With over 95 years of experience, EKO has exhibited a strong commitment to innovation and quality, offering turn-key solutions for environmental research and renewable energy projects. Since 2013, EKO Instruments has distinguished itself by becoming the first solar sensor manufacturer globally to obtain ISO 17025 accreditation from its testing and calibration laboratory in Tokyo, Japan, bolstering the confidence of partners and clients in the reliability of their measurements and calibration methods.

For further insights into their offerings, visit www.eko-instruments.com or check out their LinkedIn profile at EKO Instruments LinkedIn.

In conclusion, the installation of EKO Instruments' advanced solar sensors at the Three W Solar project marks a significant leap towards enhancing renewable energy monitoring and optimizing solar power efficiency. This collaboration paves the way for a more sustainable energy future, aligning with the ongoing global transition to cleaner energy sources.