MS-80SH Plus+ sensor receives Honorable Mention in the large-scale category
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EKO Instruments USA has announced that its innovative MS-80SH Plus+ solar monitoring station has been awarded an Honorable Mention in the prestigious Top Products presented by Solar Power World contest, particularly in the large-scale category. This sensor stands out not just for its technology, but also as the only pyranometer recognized this year, signifying a top 10 position in a field of impressive innovations. The Solar Power World publication represents the forefront of the U.S. solar market and annually compiles the Top Solar Contractors List. The Top Products contest, now in its second year, celebrates noteworthy advancements in the solar and storage industries.
The MS-80SH Plus+ is engineered with a pioneering capability to measure diffuse irradiance continuously, making it particularly valuable in dynamic weather conditions. This feature becomes essential, especially for bifacial modules that efficiently capture light from both front and rear sides. This innovative system can deliver crucial data without requiring additional sun trackers or multiple sensor units, streamlining operations. Furthermore, it adheres to the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) 61724-1 guidelines, ensuring compliance with standards for monitoring photovoltaic system performance.
Wayne Burnett, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer of EKO Instruments USA, expressed enthusiasm about this recognition, stating, “Our MS-80SH Plus+ product is a practical and high-performance solution to the increasing diversity of solar power plant locations and photovoltaic (PV) applications. It can be easily deployed and provides the PV industry with a higher-accuracy, more cost-effective solution for tracking diffuse irradiance. We are thrilled to receive recognition from Solar Power World and are committed to continued innovation in solar technology.”
The Top Products contest organized by Solar Power World aims to spotlight the most innovative and impactful products across the solar and storage sectors. The competition judges consist of industry professionals adept in various markets, evaluating each candidate on originality, market potential, and practical benefits to installers and developers alike.
Kelly Pickerel, the editor-in-chief of Solar Power World, noted a common theme among winning products this year: “ease-of-use.” Each winning product, regardless of whether meant for utility-scale or residential applications, scored highly for its advantages in expediting construction and simplifying commissioning tasks.
The MS-80SH Plus+ addresses a significant gap in the solar monitoring landscape: the need for precise measurements of diffuse irradiance. In scenarios with overcast or variable sky conditions, diffuse irradiance can often surpass direct irradiance—solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface unimpeded. For bifacial, tracker-based systems, precise measurement of diffuse data is pivotal for optimizing the position of trackers and enhancing overall system performance. The increased accuracy in DHI measurements contributes to developing more efficient tracking algorithms over time.
Pickerel elaborated on the challenges faced by large-scale projects using bifacial solar panels, remarking, “Bifacial solar panels have become standard in large-scale projects, but obtaining accurate monitoring and measurement values for these specialized panels has been a struggle. The MS-80SH Plus+ from EKO finally offers project owners a cost-effective means to gather diffuse irradiance data, essential for optimizing tracker positions and enhancing solar system performance, which in turn helps meet bankability requirements—a critical goal for asset managers.”
About EKO Instruments Headquartered in Japan, with a U.S. office and distribution center based in California, EKO Instruments boasts an impressive legacy of over 95 years in the field of solar energy sensors, environmental science, and material analysis. Their instruments are deployed globally, aiding environmental research and renewable energy projects through a commitment to innovation and quality.
In 2013, EKO Instruments made history by becoming the first solar sensor manufacturer worldwide to receive ISO 17025 accreditation at its Tokyo facility. This accreditation provides additional assurance to partners and customers concerning the precision and reliability of their measurement instruments and calibration methods.
For more information, please visit www.eko-instruments.com or connect with them on LinkedIn.
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