According to International Standard ISO 9060:1990 and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) a pyranometer is the
designated type of instrument for the measurement of hemispherical (global or diﬀuse) solar radiation integrated over the
wavelength range from 0.3 µm to 3 µm (300 nm to 3000 nm). All pyranometers within the SMP series are compliant with one
of the classes specified by the international standard.

This manual, together with the instruction sheet, provides information related to the installation, maintenance, calibration,
product specifications and applications of the SMP series pyranometers.

If any questions should remain, please contact your local Kipp & Zonen representative or e-mail the Kipp & Zonen customer and
product support department at:

[email protected]

Please go to

www.kippzonen.com for information about other Kipp & Zonen products, or to check for any updates to this manual

or software.

1.1.1 The pyranometer
The SMP series instruments are high quality radiometers designed for measuring short-wave irradiance on a plane surface
(radiant flux, W/m²), which results from the sum of the direct solar radiation and the diﬀuse sky radiation incident from the
hemisphere above the instrument.

SMP pyranometers feature internal digital signal processing and interfaces optimised for industrial data acquisition and control
systems. Kipp & Zonen has developed a smart interface that features RS-485 Modbus® data communication for connection to
programmable logic controllers (PLC’s), inverters, digital control equipment and the latest generation of data loggers. Amplified
Voltage or Current outputs are also included for devices that have high-level analogue inputs or current loop interfaces.

There are three models in the SMP series, SMP3, SMP10 and SMP11, and available in two versions. One has an analogue voltage
output of 0 to 1 V, the other has an analogue current output of 4 to 20 mA. They all have a 2-wire RS-485 interface with Modbus®
(RTU) protocol.

Digital signal processing provides faster response times and, with an integrated temperature sensor, corrects for the temperature
dependence of the detector sensitivity.

To achieve the required spectral and directional characteristics SMP Series pyranometers use thermopile detectors and glass
domes. SMP3, SMP10 and SMP11 have built-in bubble levels and adjustable levelling feet. Snap-on sun shields reduce solar
heating of the housings. The waterproof connectors have gold-plated contacts.

The pyranometers are normally delivered with a waterproof plug pre-wired to a high quality signal cable, typically this is 10 m
long but other lengths are available. The instruments can also be ordered with a plug only, for the user to fit their own cable.

SMP3 features a 64-junction thermopile sensing element with a highly absorptive, and spectrally flat, black coating to capture
incoming radiation and convert it to an electrical signal. This detector is protected by a high quality glass dome which is 4 mm
thick. The housing is completely sealed.

SMP10 and SMP11 have a larger housing than SMP3 with increased thermal mass. Its 32-junction thermopile sensing element
features faster response, better linearity and a wider measurement range than the SMP3. There are two high quality concentric
glass domes, 2 mm thick, which provide improved directional error and thermal isolation. The radiometric levelling is more
accurate and SMP11 has a drying cartridge with replaceable desiccant. The SMP10 has internal desiccant that lasts for 10 years.

Features and specifications of the SMP3, SMP10 and SMP11 pyranometers are explained later in this manual.

1.1.2 International Standards
SMP3 is fully compliant with the requirements of ISO 9060:1990 for a Second Class Pyranometer.

SMP10 and SMP11 are fully compliant with the requirements of ISO 9060:1990 for a Secondary Standard Pyranometer.

SMP series pyranometers are calibrated in accordance with Annex A.3 of ISO 9847 ‘Calibration of Field Pyranometers by
Comparison to a Reference Pyranometer’. Annex A.3 refers to ‘Calibration Devices Using Artificial Sources’. Calibrations are
traceable to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) in Davos, Switzerland.

SMP series pyranometers comply with IEC 60904-1 ‘Photovoltaic devices - Part 1: Measurement of Photovoltaic Current-Voltage
Characteristics’.

1.2 Key parts of the SMP3 pyranometer

1.3 Key parts of the SMP10 pyranometer

1.4 Key parts of the SMP11 pyranometer

Table of Contents

This manual is related to the following products:

SHP11 Pyranometers SHP10 Pyranometers