Few companies can pride themselves on 180 years of tradition, and even fewer can claim such a continued passion for precision and the exploration of new, innovative technologies. Dedicated to high-quality solutions for the measurement of both natural and simulated solar radiation, from the ultraviolet to the infrared, Kipp & Zonen B.V. from Delft, the Netherlands, has become the worldwide authority in its field. As the photovoltaic and solar energy segment rapidly grows, the Dutch enterprise is perfectly positioned to respond to the needs of this emerging global market.
Ever since Petrus Jacobus Kipp bought a pharmacy in the town of Delft and sat up an instrument business in 1830, the name of Kipp has been associated with sound advice and creative ideas. Over the years, the instrument manufacture became a business in its own right, specialising in scientific instruments including the first solar radiation sensors. In 1963, Kipp & Zonen moved to a new, modern factory in the suburbs of Delft allowing for further expansion in response to growing demand, particularly in the field of solar radiation measurement. In 1996, Kipp & Zonen became associated with the Canadian manufacturer of the Brewer Ozone Spectrophotometer, the standard instrument for global monitoring of the ozone layer thickness.
Subsequently, production of the Brewer have been transferred to Delft, and with other instruments introduced to expand the product range. Today, solar and atmospheric science has become the core business of Kipp & Zonen. “We still have Canadian shareholders” confirms Business Manager Ruud Ringoir, who has been with the company since 1980. “With offices in France, the US and Singapore and distributors in more than 40 countries all over the world, we are a truly global business.”
True to its traditional links with the scientific community Kipp & Zonen aims to satisfy the fundamental need to monitor atmospheric related to climate change, classical meteorology, agriculture, renewable energy and the available water resources. In greenhouse climate control for instance the greatest influence on plant growth is that of the sun. Consequently, the measurement of solar radiation is of critical importance, as modern retailing requires plants to mature and be at their best by a particular date. By controlling the ratio between nutrients, water and radiation (including artificial light), harvesting of crop can be done on a set date. Precise solar measurements contribute to a high degree of control and to the efficient use of energy for heating and lighting the greenhouses. Kipp & Zonen has proven competence in providing the right solutions time and again.
Exponential growth in the solar energy market goes along with the need for high quality solar radiation data, as errors of a few percent can significantly impact upon the return on investment. Kipp & Zonen provides solar radiation measuring instruments for research and development, production quality control, selection of optimum locations, efficiency monitoring and prediction of system output under various sky conditions. Like in other fields of application, the Dutch manufacturers offer the widest possible range of products, from reliable entry-level sensors to the best performance available.
Quality and precision being paramount at Kipp & Zonen, applications of the company’s class leading instruments are in the professional sector – in meteorology, climatology, hydrology, renewable energy, agriculture and public health. “Our focus is on long-term quality,” emphasises Ruud Ringoir. “This kind of long-lasting quality is recognised and appreciated by our international clientele, Germany being the most important market, followed by France, Spain the US and China.” The great response at major trade fairs such as InterSolar confirms the excellent reputation Kipp & Zonen enjoys with customers and experts all over the world. The specialists from Delft, the Netherlands, will continue to explore new technologies and respond to the challenges of changing environment that scientists are faced with today and in the future.