Kipp&Zonen Solys 2AP Fully Automatic Solar Tracker

Overview

The Kipp & Zonen Solys 2AP Fully Automatic Solar Tracker is an electromechanical azimuth-altitude mount engineered for high-precision, continuous solar pointing in ground-based radiometric monitoring. It operates on a dual-axis (azimuth and elevation) closed-loop control architecture, enabling real-time alignment with the solar disk using either passive astronomical ephemeris calculation or active feedback from an optional pyrheliometer-mounted sun sensor. Designed specifically to support ISO 9060:2018 Class A and Class B broadband and spectral radiometers—including direct normal irradiance (DNI), global horizontal irradiance (GHI), and diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) sensors—the Solys 2AP ensures optimal angular response and minimal cosine error during long-term field deployment. Its mechanical design conforms to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) operational requirements, making it suitable for climate-grade radiation observatories, atmospheric science campaigns, and renewable energy performance validation.

Key Features

• High-accuracy dual-axis tracking: <0.1° pointing uncertainty under passive mode; <0.02° when integrated with a calibrated sun sensor for active closed-loop correction.
• Robust mechanical architecture: Planetary gear-driven motion system delivering >40 Nm torque, supporting up to 65 kg of balanced payload—enabling simultaneous mounting of multiple radiometers (e.g., pyrheliometer, shaded pyranometer, UV sensor).
• Extended environmental resilience: Operational range of –50 °C to +50 °C when equipped with optional frost cover and low-temperature heater (100 W), validated for Arctic, alpine, and desert deployments.
• Integrated power management: Internal battery backup enables autonomous reacquisition of solar position following brief grid interruption; supports both 24 VDC and universal 115/230 VAC input.
• Modular mounting infrastructure: Includes zenith-axis adapter, dual side-mounting plates (for large-aperture instruments), three shadow-ball adapters, and a ventilated platform accommodating up to three thermally stabilized radiometers.
• Compliance-ready operation: Fully compatible with GLP/GMP-aligned data acquisition workflows; supports time-synchronized logging via RS-232 interface and Win2AP configuration software.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Solys 2AP is optimized for use with Kipp & Zonen’s full portfolio of ISO 9060:2018-compliant radiometers—including the CMP series pyranometers, CHP 1 pyrheliometers, and UVS series UV radiometers—as well as third-party instruments meeting IEC 61724-1:2021 photovoltaic monitoring standards. Its mechanical interface adheres to standard DIN 1303 and ISO 10418 mounting conventions. The tracker itself satisfies WMO BSRN technical specifications for solar tracking accuracy, repeatability, and thermal stability. All firmware and control logic are traceable per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 calibration documentation requirements, and its time-stamping functionality supports auditability under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when integrated into validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Software & Data Management

Configuration, calibration, and diagnostics are performed exclusively via Win2AP—a Windows-based desktop application distributed by Kipp & Zonen. Win2AP provides real-time status visualization (including azimuth/elevation angles, motor current draw, and sensor health), scheduled tracking profiles (e.g., sunrise-to-sunset, custom duty cycles), and firmware update capability. Time synchronization is achieved through PC-hosted NTP or GPS-referenced clock sources. While the Solys 2AP does not feature onboard data storage or Ethernet/WiFi connectivity, its RS-232 output integrates seamlessly with SCADA platforms, Campbell Scientific CR-series dataloggers, or custom Python/C++ acquisition scripts for automated metadata tagging and timestamped irradiance correlation.

Applications

• Solar resource assessment for utility-scale PV and CSP plant site selection and performance ratio (PR) analysis.
• Long-term atmospheric radiation budget studies within BSRN, GAW, and ACTRIS networks.
• Material degradation testing under controlled solar exposure (e.g., ASTM G177, ISO 4892-2).
• Calibration transfer between reference and field instruments using co-located DNI measurements.
• Validation of satellite-derived surface irradiance products (e.g., CAMS, NSRDB) via ground-truthing.
• Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) profiling in precision agriculture research stations requiring directional light characterization.

FAQ

Is the Solys 2AP compatible with third-party pyrheliometers?
Yes—provided the instrument conforms to standard ISO 9060:2018 mounting dimensions and mass distribution limits (≤65 kg balanced load); mechanical and electrical integration requires verification of flange interface and signal grounding protocols.
Does the tracker require annual maintenance?
Yes—Kipp & Zonen recommends annual inspection of gear lubrication, cable strain relief integrity, and sun sensor alignment; a certified service technician must perform recalibration if positional drift exceeds ±0.05°.
Can the Solys 2AP operate without external computer connection?
Yes—it executes autonomous ephemeris-based tracking upon power-up; however, Win2AP is required for initial setup, time synchronization, and diagnostic logging.
What is the maximum wind speed rating for unsheltered operation?
The unit is rated for continuous operation at ≤15 m/s (54 km/h); for gusts exceeding 25 m/s, installation on a reinforced concrete pier or heavy-duty tripod is mandatory per IEC 61400-2.
Is firmware upgrade supported remotely?
No—firmware updates require local USB-to-RS232 connection and Win2AP execution; no over-the-air (OTA) capability is implemented for security and traceability reasons.