SP-510-SS Upward-Looking Thermopile Pyranometer

The SP-510 is an upward-looking thermopile pyranometer with an analog output of 0 to 114 mV.

  • Product Name: Upward-Looking Thermopile Pyranometer
  • Model:SP-510-SS
  • Maunufactor:Apogee
  • Country:USA

The SP-510 is an upward-looking thermopile pyranometer with an analog output of 0 to 114 mV. The sensor incorporates a blackbody thermopile detector and acrylic diffuser with a rugged, self-cleaning sensor housing design. Typical applications include shortwave radiation measurement in agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks. Sensors are also used to optimize photovoltaic systems.


These sensors can also be coupled with our downward facing pyranometer to form an albedometer. For this application, we recommend using our AL-130 Albedometer mounting bracket. Sensor includes IP67 marine-grade stainless-steel cable connector 30 cm from head to simplify sensor removal and replacement for maintenance and recalibration.


Power Supply    Self powered

Sensitivity (variable from sensor to sensor, typical values listed)    0.057 mV per W mˉ²

Calibration Factor (reciprocal of sensitivity) (variable from sensor to sensor, typical values listed)    17.5 W mˉ² per mV

Calibration Uncertainty    ± 5 %

Calibrated Output Range    0 to 114 mV

Measurement Range    0 to 2000 W mˉ² (net shortwave irradiance)

Measurement Repeatability    Less than 1 %

Long-term Drift    Less than 2 % per year

Non-linearity    Less than 1 %

Detector Response Time    0.5 seconds

Field of View    180 ˚

Spectral Range (50 % points)    385 nm to 2105 nm

Directional (Cosine) Response    Less than 30 W mˉ² at 80 ˚ solar zenith

Temperature Response    Less than 5 % from -15 to 45 C

Zero Offset A    Less than 5 W mˉ², Less than 10 W mˉ² (heated)

Zero Offset B    Less than 5 W mˉ²

Operating Environment    -50 to 80 C, 0 to 100 % relative humidity

Heater    780 Ω, 15.4 mA current drain and 185 mW power requirement at 12 V DC

Uncertainty in Daily Total    Less than 5 %

Dimesinons    28.7 mm height, 23.5 mm diameter

Mass    90 g

Warranty    4 years against defects in materials and workmanship