Kipp & Zonen acquires Black Photon’s Airshield® for pyrheliometers
We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Black Photon’s Airshield® DNI for pyrheliometers. The technology has been transferred to give Kipp & Zonen the exclusive rights to manufacture and offer a complementary new accessory for its pyrheliometers that greatly reduces soiling of the instrument optical window.
In 2014 Black Photon Instruments GmbH, a spin-off of Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, Germany, developed a solution for solar sensors in use in a very dusty environment in Oman, which resulted in the innovative AirShield® DNI. The system protects the window of a pyrheliometer from dust, dirt, sand and insects by creating a high-flow air barrier in front of the window. This “air knife” is created by blowing compressed and filtered air from the supply unit through a UV-resistant flexible hose to a special injection head that is easily fitted to the front of CHP1 and SHP1 Kipp & Zonen pyrheliometers.
Kipp & Zonen is currently adapting the system to its quality processes and manufacturing standards. AirShield® DNI fits well into the company’s passion for precision to offer the highest accuracy measurement of solar radiation feasible, in this case the irradiance coming directly from the sun. Thanks to the innovative airflow, cleaning intervals are extended, maintenance costs are reduced and the availability of good quality data is increased. In combination with the reliability of Kipp & Zonen’s pyrheliometers, the AirShield® DNI provides a perfect solution for dry and dusty environments, such as in the MENA region, and for remote sites that are infrequently serviced.
“We’re very excited to transfer the AirShield technology to Kipp & Zonen, the market leader in solar radiation measurement. This opens up new dimensions for the technology and helps Kipp & Zonen customers to achieve better measurement with less maintenance costs” says Joachim Jaus, CEO of Black Photon Instruments.
