EKO Instruments Wins Honorable Mention for MS-80SH Plus+.
EKO Instruments USA is proud to announce that its MS-80SH Plus+ Solar Monitoring Station has won an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Top Products presented by Solar Power World contest. This award was granted in the large-scale category.
The MS-80SH Plus+ is a Class A monitoring solution specifically designed for Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI) measurements. Importantly, EKO is the only pyranometer manufacturer recognized this year, with the Honorable Mention representing a top 10 result. Solar Power World is the premier media outlet for the U.S. solar market. It also publishes the annual Top Solar Contractors List. Now in its second year, the Top Products contest highlights product-related awards for the U.S. solar and storage industry.
Enhancing Performance with Accurate Diffuse Irradiance Data
The MS-80SH Plus+ offers a unique capability: it continuously measures diffuse irradiance, especially during dynamic weather conditions. Consequently, this feature is crucial for bifacial modules, which capture light from both sides. The system delivers the required data without needing a sun tracker or multiple sensor units. Furthermore, it offers a major benefit for compliance, specifically with the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) 61724-1 guidelines on photovoltaic system performance monitoring.
“Our MS-80SH Plus+ product provides a practical and high-performance solution to the increasing diversity of solar power plant locations and photovoltaic (PV) applications,” says Wayne Burnett, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer of EKO Instruments USA. “It deploys easily and gives the PV industry a higher-accuracy, more cost-effective solution for tracking diffuse irradiance. Naturally, we are thrilled to receive recognition from Solar Power World and remain committed to continued innovation in solar technology.”
Why Accurate Monitoring Matters
The Top Products presented by Solar Power World celebrate the most innovative and significant products available to the U.S. solar and storage industry. Industry professionals with experience in all markets, including research, product development, and installation sectors, judge the competition. Judges assess awarded products based on originality, market promise, and benefits to installers and developers.
“The theme among the winning Top Products this year is ease-of-use,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor-in-chief of Solar Power World. “Every winning product, whether used at the utility-scale or on residential projects, ranked highly for its benefit to the installer in speeding up construction or generally making it physically easier to complete commissioning.”
The MS-80SH Plus+ addresses a critical gap in solar monitoring: accurate diffuse irradiance measurement. Under overcast or variable sky conditions, diffuse irradiance can exceed direct irradiance (solar radiation that reaches the surface without being scattered). For this reason, accurate diffuse data is essential for optimizing tracker position and overall system performance in bifacial tracker-based systems. In addition, more accurate DHI measurements will support the development of more efficient tracker algorithms as time progresses.
“Bifacial solar panels have become commonplace on large-scale projects, but it’s been difficult to get accurate monitoring and measurement values for these specialized panels,” Pickerel explains. “The MS-80SH Plus+ device from EKO finally offers project owners a cost-effective way to gather diffuse horizontal irradiance data. This data helps optimize tracker positions and improve the solar system’s performance. Higher-accuracy data points allow projects to meet their bankability requirements — the ultimate goal for all asset managers.”
🌎 About EKO Instruments
Headquartered in Japan, EKO Instruments also maintains a US office and distribution center in California. It has over 95 years of Japanese reliability and precision in solar energy sensors, environmental science, and material analysis. EKO-designed and built instruments support environmental research and renewable energy projects worldwide. This is achieved through continuous innovation, industry-leading turn-key solutions, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
In 2013, EKO Instruments became the first solar sensor manufacturer in the world to achieve ISO 17025 accreditation at its international testing and calibration laboratory in Tokyo, Japan. This gives partners and customers added confidence in the precision and reliability of its measuring instruments and calibration methods.
For more information, please visit www.eko-instruments.com or www.linkedin.com/company/eko-instruments/
SAN JOSE, Calif., NOV. 18, 2025
