Fully Automated Sun Tracker with Integrated GPS - SOLYS 2 from Kipp & Zonen

SOLYS Gear Drive sun tracker - highest load, widest temperature range, best performance

A sun tracker typically holds instruments such as pyrheliometers, absolute cavity radiometers or sun photometers that must be pointed precisely at the sun by following its arc throughout the day. However, it may also carry a shading assembly to block the direct sun beam from reaching pyranometers and pyrgeometers. Kipp & Zonen sun trackers are widely used in networks of solar monitoring stations that measure direct, di¬ffuse and global solar radiation and thermal sky radiation, for inputs to weather forecasting, solar energy and climate models. The new SOLYS Gear Drive is the most powerful automatic sun tracker available for monitoring solar radiation.

After extensive testing Kipp & Zonen selected a state-of-the-art reduction gear system, with integrated high load bearings, that is maintenance-free, compact, durable and highly accurate. As a result the SOLYS Gear Drive has a payload of 80 kg and over 60 Nm of torque , allowing for the use of multiple and/or heavy instruments.

The wide temperature range is achieved thanks to a high capacity internal heater. For extremely cold regions an insulated cover is available that allows operation in temperatures down to -50°C and with wind speeds up to 20 m/s. For extremely hot regions the SOLYS Gear Drive can be fitted with a sun shield. This reduces heating of the housing by direct solar insolation and extends the upper operating temperature range to +60°C.

Kipp & Zonen has developed new and smart Windows™ software with an attractive user interface that allows remote monitoring and logging of the tracker status, solar zenith and azimuth angles, GPS time and date, and more; through Ethernet or an isolated RS-485 port. The integrated Web Interface with Ethernet connection allows operational parameters to be viewed and set, history log files can be downloaded, and firmware can be updated.