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In the world of solar radiation measurement, choosing the right pyranometer or solar radiation sensor is crucial for accurate data, system performance, and long‑term reliability. Two leading names—Vaisala and OTT HydroMet (under the Kipp & Zonen brand)—offer top‑tier instruments tailored for meteorological, research, PV, and industrial applications. This blog serves as a detailed pyranometer and PV pyranometer comparison and selection guide, helping readers understand brand background, product lines, flagship instruments, and selection strategy.
Vaisala is a globally recognized Finnish company known for its expertise in environmental and industrial measurement. Their history includes reliable meteorological sensors for weather, environmental, and industrial applications.
— Pyranometer models: Vaisala’s portfolio includes thermopile-based CM6B (first‑class) and CM11 (secondary standard). They also offer the cost-effective QMS101 (photodiode-based) and the ISO‑classified second‑class QMS102. Additional models like SR05 are aimed at general solar irradiance measurements, including PV monitoring .
— Vaisala’s integrated solutions include AWS810 Solar Edition, a ready‑to‑use weather station optimized for solar power plants, integrating a pyranometer, diffuse sensors, albedometer kits, module temperature and soiling measurements, with connectivity to SCADA or cloud services docs.vaisala.com+2docs.vaisala.com+2.
OTT HydroMet acquired the historic Kipp & Zonen brand, which has over 190 years of heritage in solar and atmospheric instrumentation otthydromet.com. Their pyranometer designs are benchmarked for spectral flatness, accuracy, and longevity, serving meteorology, climate research, and large‑scale solar energy deployment.
— They categorize instruments per ISO 9060:2018 standards: Classes A, B, C. Kipp & Zonen’s SMP10, SMP12, and SMP22 are Class A, spectrally flat smart thermopile pyranometers with long lifetimes and digital interfaces OTT Blog. Class C models like CMP3 are also available.
CM6B (First Class Pyranometer): High‑precision thermopile sensor for global horizontal irradiance (GHI); ISO first‑class equivalent.
CM11 (Secondary Standard): Even more sensitive with 100 thermocouples; secondary standard in WMO hierarchy.
QMS101 / QMS102: Entry-level, cost‑effective pyranometer options. QMS101 uses a photodiode; QMS102 is thermopile, ISO second‑class .
SR05: Thermopile sensor suited for (agro‑)meteorological networks and PV pyranometer monitoring systems.
AWS810 Solar Edition: Integrated solar‑optimized weather station supporting GHI, DHI, albedo, POA irradiance, module temperature, soiling ratio. Easy SCADA/cloud integration.
Class A Smart Pyranometers (ISO 9060):
SMP10 – Most widely deployed PV pyranometer, spectrally flat, internal desiccant, analog + Modbus outputs.
SMP12 – Next‑gen Class A, fast response, solid‑state dome heating, tilt sensor, humidity/temp sensor, Modbus only, robust surge protection.
SMP22 – Extremely robust, wide voltage range, includes cosine response data and 5‑year warranty.
Class C / Routine Monitoring:
CMP3 – Entry-level, spectrally flat Class C, no power needed, simple analog output.
Smart equivalents like SMP3, SMP6, SMP10, SMP21, SMP22 offer digital features like faster response, temperature compensation, Modbus interface .
Ecosystem Components: Ventilation units (CVF4), net radiometers, pyrheliometers, albedometers, solar trackers (SOLYS2, RaZON+).
OTT HydroMet / Kipp & Zonen SMP12: Top‑tier PV pyranometer, fastest response, integrated dome heating, robust design, Modbus interface, ideal for performance ratio analysis and continuous solar plant monitoring.
SMP10: Proven workhorse in PV systems around the world; spectrally flat Class A, analog + digital output makes it suitable for mixed legacy systems .
SMP22: Great where long-term deployment with remote calibration is needed; rugged and easy to swap.
Vaisala QMS101: A good, economical option for general a pyranometer needs when budget constraints apply and ultra-high accuracy is not critical.
Vaisala SR05: Balanced solution for PV monitoring and meteorological needs with proven thermopile sensor.
Kipp & Zonen CMP3: Simple, reliable Class C sensor, no power required—useful for remote deployments or when moderate accuracy is acceptable.
Vaisala AWS810 Solar Edition: Turnkey weather station with built‑in pyranometer, diffuse, albedo, POA irradiance, soiling and PV data. A one-stop solution for solar power plant performance and environmental data acquisition.
When deciding between brands and models of pyranometer, consider these factors—each weighed by your application needs:
Accuracy and Class (ISO 9060)
For high‑precision PV yield calculations, Class A instruments (SMP12, SMP10) offer tight spectral response and minimal error.
Middle-tier needs may be met by CM6B, QMS102, or SR05.
Budget or educational setups can use Class C like CMP3.
Spectral Flatness
Essential for PV monitoring: ensures consistent response across 350–1500 nm—true of all SMP series and many Vaisala thermopile models.
Response Time and Dynamic Performance
Fast-changing solar irradiance (e.g., partly cloudy conditions) needs quick response: SMP12 excels (<0.5 s).
Durability and Maintenance
Smart pyranometers like SMP12 have internal drying cartridges lasting 10 years, integrated heating, surge protection—lower maintenance than competitors.
Interfacing (Analog vs Digital)
Analog (0–1 V, 4–20 mA) works with older data loggers.
Digital Modbus RTU simplifies SCADA/cloud integration—standard on SMP line.
Vaisala AWS810 centralizes data collection, low configuration effort.
Environmental Features
Dome heating in SMP12 prevents dew/frost, maintaining accuracy.
SMP22 includes tilt angle compensation—good for installations in remote or unbalanced mounts.
Budget and Support
Vaisala often offers excellent local support and complete packages (weather station + pyranometer).
OTT HydroMet & Kipp & Zonen focus on precision and toolchain, supported globally.
| Use Case | Recommended Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Utility-scale PV plant monitoring | SMP12 or SMP10 | Class A accuracy, digital output, streamlined maintenance. |
| High‑precision research or meteorology | CM6B or SMP12 | Proven first‑class thermopiles or advanced smart sensors. |
| Cost-conscious, educational, or basic PV monitoring | QMS101 or CMP3 | Low-cost, simple sensors adequate for general irradiance trends. |
| Integrated system with environmental sensors | AWS810 Solar Edition | All-in-one system with data processing and SCADA/cloud ready. |
| Remote installation with minimal maintenance | SMP22 | Long warranty, robust, digital, easy calibration replacement. |
Mounting & Leveling: Always install a pyranometer level (within 0.05°) to minimize azimuthal error—especially critical for CM/SMP series.
Location Awareness: Ensure no obstructions (trees, buildings) within 10× their height to avoid shading or reflection bias.
Albedo Measurement: Aspire to get both global and reflected sensors together for energy modeling—Vaisala offers albedometer kits; SMP models can be paired with net radiometers.
Environmental Safeguards: Use non‑silicone grease for outdoor joints to prevent corrosion; never maintain the sensor during thunderstorms.
Calibration: Plan periodic recalibration—many SMP units allow easy swap of calibration, with memory-retained sensitivity values.
Integration Planning: If your data resides in SCADA or cloud, lean toward digital (Modbus RTU) sensors or turnkey stations like AWS810 for seamless interoperability.
Selecting the right pyranometer or PV pyranometer hinges on balancing accuracy, maintenance, connectivity, and budget. Vaisala delivers solid, integrated solutions—especially appealing for turnkey applications. OTT HydroMet / Kipp & Zonen specializes in precision, advanced measurement, and low‑maintenance smart pyranometers like the SMP12 and SMP10 that stand out in the solar industry.
If you need a single, all‑in‑one system, the Vaisala AWS810 Solar Edition is compelling. For performance-critical PV monitoring, the SMP12 leads. For educational or low-cost setups, QMS101 or CMP3 meet the need. When operating remotely or requiring rugged reliability, the SMP22 is your best bet.
