Apogee thermopile pyranometers feature a blackbod thermopile detector. — Accurate and stable global shortwave radiation measurement in W m^-2.

Apogee's unique thermopile pyranometers compare favorably to Class A sensors for a much lower price. They feature a blackbody thermopile detector and have a larger spectral range, making them more accurate in all atmospheric conditions.

Unique Design

Designed to optimize performance and price. The upward-looking model combines a blackbody thermopile detector and acrylic diffuser, and is a significant improvement when compared to the spectral response of silicon-cell pyranometers, but keeps the price close to that of silicon-cell pyranometers. The downward-looking model combines a blackbody thermopile detector and flat glass window. It performs similarly to domed downward-looking thermopile pyranometers, but without the cost of the dome.

Accurate Measurements - ISO 9060:2018 Class C

Calibration in controlled laboratory conditions is traceable to the World Radiometric Reference in Davos, Switzerland. The upward-looking model is cosine-corrected, with directional errors less than 20 W m^-2 at 80° solar zenith angle. Long-term non-stability determined from multiple replicate pyranometers in accelerated aging tests and field conditions is less than 2 % per year.

Rugged, Self-cleaning Housing

Patented domed shaped sensor head (diffuser and body) facilitate runoff of dew and rain to keep the sensor clean and minimize errors caused by dust blocking the radiation path. Sensors are housed in a rugged anodize aluminum body, and electronics are fully potted.

On-board Heater

A 0.2 W heater keeps water (liquid and frozen) off the sensor and minimizes errors caused by dew, frost, rain, and snow blocking the radiation path.

Typical Applications

Applications include shortwave radiation measurement in agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks. Sensors are also used to optimize photovoltaic systems. The upward-looking (SP-510) and downward-looking (SP-610) can be mounted back-to-back to make an albedometer using the AL-120 albedometer mounting bracket.

Mounting

The AL-120 Solar Mounting Bracket with Leveling Plate facilitates mounting the sensor to a mast or pipe. The AL-100 Solar Sensor Leveling Plate is designed to level the sensor while sitting on a flat surface or mounting to a surface. The AL-130 Albedometer Mounting Bracket can be used to mount an SP-510 and -610 back-to-back to make an albedometer.

High Quality Cable

Pigtail-lead sensors feature an IP68, marine-grade stainless-steel cable connector to simplify sensor removal for maintenance and recalibration. Cable is shielded-twisted pair wire with a TPR jacket for high water resistance, UV stability, and flexibility in cold conditions.

Output Options

**Pigtail Analog Output:**
0 to 100 mV (upward-looking)
0 to 300 mV (downward-looking)

**Pigtail Digital Output:**
Modbus RS-232 and Modbus RS-485

**Albedometer Options**
SP-710-SS: Analog SP-510-SS and SP-610-SS package
SP-722-SS: Modbus Albedometer

Warranty and Support

All Apogee products are backed by an industry-leading four year warranty and outstanding customer support.

Specifications
Learn More

Videos
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Support Info
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Apogee Instruments' thermopile albedometer AL-130 bracket. — Accurate and stable global shortwave radiation measurement in W m^-2.

Apogee's unique thermopile pyranometers compare favorably to Class A sensors for a much lower price. They feature a blackbody thermopile detector and have a larger spectral range, making them more accurate in all atmospheric conditions.

Unique Design

Designed to optimize performance and price. The upward-looking model combines a blackbody thermopile detector and acrylic diffuser, and is a significant improvement when compared to the spectral response of silicon-cell pyranometers, but keeps the price close to that of silicon-cell pyranometers. The downward-looking model combines a blackbody thermopile detector and flat glass window. It performs similarly to domed downward-looking thermopile pyranometers, but without the cost of the dome.

Accurate Measurements - ISO 9060:2018 Class C

Calibration in controlled laboratory conditions is traceable to the World Radiometric Reference in Davos, Switzerland. The upward-looking model is cosine-corrected, with directional errors less than 20 W m^-2 at 80° solar zenith angle. Long-term non-stability determined from multiple replicate pyranometers in accelerated aging tests and field conditions is less than 2 % per year.

Rugged, Self-cleaning Housing

Patented domed shaped sensor head (diffuser and body) facilitate runoff of dew and rain to keep the sensor clean and minimize errors caused by dust blocking the radiation path. Sensors are housed in a rugged anodize aluminum body, and electronics are fully potted.

On-board Heater

A 0.2 W heater keeps water (liquid and frozen) off the sensor and minimizes errors caused by dew, frost, rain, and snow blocking the radiation path.

Typical Applications

Applications include shortwave radiation measurement in agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks. Sensors are also used to optimize photovoltaic systems. The upward-looking (SP-510) and downward-looking (SP-610) can be mounted back-to-back to make an albedometer using the AL-120 albedometer mounting bracket.

Mounting

The AL-120 Solar Mounting Bracket with Leveling Plate facilitates mounting the sensor to a mast or pipe. The AL-100 Solar Sensor Leveling Plate is designed to level the sensor while sitting on a flat surface or mounting to a surface. The AL-130 Albedometer Mounting Bracket can be used to mount an SP-510 and -610 back-to-back to make an albedometer.

High Quality Cable

Pigtail-lead sensors feature an IP68, marine-grade stainless-steel cable connector to simplify sensor removal for maintenance and recalibration. Cable is shielded-twisted pair wire with a TPR jacket for high water resistance, UV stability, and flexibility in cold conditions.

Output Options

**Pigtail Analog Output:**
0 to 100 mV (upward-looking)
0 to 300 mV (downward-looking)

**Pigtail Digital Output:**
Modbus RS-232 and Modbus RS-485

**Albedometer Options**
SP-710-SS: Analog SP-510-SS and SP-610-SS package
SP-722-SS: Modbus Albedometer

Warranty and Support

All Apogee products are backed by an industry-leading four year warranty and outstanding customer support.

Specifications
Learn More

Videos
Learn More

Support Info
Learn More

Home
/ Pyranometers
/ Thermopile Pyranometers

PP-500 Package: microCache and Thermopile Pyranometer with 30 cm cable

$618.00

SP-510-SS Upward-Looking Thermopile Pyranometer

$358.00

SP-610-SS Downward-Looking Thermopile Pyranometer

$358.00

SP-522-SS Modbus Digital Output Thermopile Pyranometer

$488.00

SP-710-SS: Albedometer Sensor Package

$663.00

SP-722-SS Modbus Digital Output Thermopile Albedometer

$1,195.00

AA-100: Protective Carrying Case

$29.00

AL-120 Solar Mounting Bracket with Leveling Plate

$79.00

AL-100: Solar Sensor Leveling Plate

$59.00

AM-150 Albedometer Solar Panel Clamping Bracket

$35.00

AL-130 Albedo Meter Bracket-Accommodates the SP-510 and SP-610 pyranometers to create an albedo meter.

AL-130 Albedometer Mounting Bracket

$86.00

AM-130 Albedometer Mounting Fixture with 12" Rod

$42.00

AM-310: Telescopic Sensor Wand

$74.00

AM-320 Water Submersible Sensor Wand

$74.00

AM-240: Rod-based Mounting Fixture

$84.00

AC-421 SDI-12 to USB Converter

$156.00

More Info

Thermopile Pyranometers

Apogee's unique thermopile pyranometers compare favorably to Class A sensors for a much lower price. They feature a blackbody thermopile detector and have a larger spectral range, making them more accurate in all atmospheric conditions.

Specifications

Videos

Support Info

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PP-500 Package: microCache and Thermopile Pyranometer with 30 cm cable

SP-510-SS Upward-Looking Thermopile Pyranometer

SP-610-SS Downward-Looking Thermopile Pyranometer

SP-522-SS Modbus Digital Output Thermopile Pyranometer

SP-710-SS: Albedometer Sensor Package

SP-722-SS Modbus Digital Output Thermopile Albedometer

AA-100: Protective Carrying Case

AL-120 Solar Mounting Bracket with Leveling Plate

AL-100: Solar Sensor Leveling Plate

AM-150 Albedometer Solar Panel Clamping Bracket

AL-130 Albedometer Mounting Bracket

AM-130 Albedometer Mounting Fixture with 12" Rod

AM-310: Telescopic Sensor Wand

AM-320 Water Submersible Sensor Wand

AM-240: Rod-based Mounting Fixture

AC-421 SDI-12 to USB Converter