Our Story
A History of Firsts
New beginnings
'EKO Shokai' was founded by Hiroshi Tozawa (pictured) & Eiji Shiina and was the first meteorological instrument manufacturer in Japan.
Made in Japan
EKO started manufacturing the MS-12, the first Japanese-made pyranometer.
Homegrown
EKO launches the first Japanese-designed and built pyranometer.
The ends of the earth
A group of EKO sensors were installed for the first time at the Mizuho Station in Antarctica after being selected by the Japanese Ministry of Education for a long-term research project.
Focusing on the future
EKO produced its first I-V Tracers, research equipment specifically designed for solar power generation systems.
Going global
EKO launched the MS-210W, the world's first UV-B radiometer.
Quality as standard
EKO obtained its first international ISO standard accreditation for quality management.
Welcome to America
EKO establishes its first permanent office outside of Japan, opening EKO Instruments USA Inc.
Still growing
EKO Instruments Europe B.V. opens in the Netherlands, bringing EKO closer to customers across the continent with the first EKO technical centre outside of Japan.
A new home
EKO celebrated its 85th anniversary and moved into its first custom-designed HQ in Japan.
Raising the bar
EKO became the first ISO/IEC 17025 certified solar sensor manufacturer in the world, helping to validate and maintain the highest standards in calibration and testing.
More than a manufacturer
Between 2013 and 2015, EKO opened two solar parks near Tokyo, becoming the first, and still only, solar sensor manufacturer in the world to own and operate its own PV plants.
Changing the game
EKO re-defined expectations for accuracy and performance with the launch of the MS-80, the first in a new generation of pyranometers, featuring a state-of-the-art thermopile sensor & quartz diffusor technology.
Prioritising sustainability
EKO made its first public sustainability pledge, a commitment to phase out all possible single-use, and non-recyclable plastics from product packaging by the end of 2022.
EMPOWER
EKO announced EKO EMPOWER, the first global sponsorship and education programme by a solar sensor manufacturer, initially supporting six university-based solar car racing teams from around the world.
A new vision
EKO launches its first 100% Renewable Energy powered website and a new 'Vision & Mission' in preparation for our 100th anniversary in 2027.
FIND OUT MORE
Become a subscriber
For all the latest EKO news and developments in Solar PV, Environmental Instruments, Material Analysis and more.
Subscribe