SMA Solar Technology AG is a global leader in the development, production and sales of PV inverters and, as an energy management group, offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. SMA is represented in all important photovoltaics markets in 19 countries on four continents. The company has a staff of over 5,500 and reached a sales volume of EUR 1.7 billion in 2011.
Technologically, the inverter is the most important component of a PV plant. It converts the direct current generated in the photovoltaic cells into alternating current compliant with the grid requirements – for self-consumption or feed-in to the power distribution grid. As an intelligent system manager, it also monitors both the PV array and the power distribution grid. SMA inverters already perform important grid management functions, which are becoming increasingly important as electricity production from renewable sources grows. SMA has been developing leading technological solutions and pioneering trends in this area for years and is driving future-oriented topics. For instance, these include intelligent energy management at a household level, grid integration of solar power and connecting storage facilities for more effective use of renewable energy.
SMA has an extensive range of products, which offers the right inverters for all module types and plant sizes; for small residential systems as well as large scale plants, grid-connected installations as well as stand-alone and backup systems all over the world. Plant monitoring and visualization products as well as energy management solutions complete the portfolio.In addition to this, SMA customers worldwide benefit from comprehensive services: from support in installation and commissioning of PV plants to quick and uncomplicated device replacement service in Germany and worldwide, and the free SMA Service Line for technical questions. The company also provides training for plant planners, installers, electrically qualified persons and anybody interested in solar power in seminars as part of the SMA Solar Academy.
SMA has received numerous awards for its product solutions and exceptional corporate culture. In 2011 and 2012, the company achieved first place in the German “Great Place to Work®” competition in the category for companies with over 5,000 employees.
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What kind of inverters work best with the most powerful solar panels?
Over the past few years, solar modules have grown larger and more powerful. Installers must pair the latest cutting-edge panels with high-power inverters to ensure they’re getting as much energy as possible out of their systems. Here are three manufacturers making inverters specifically tailored to high-power and bifacial modules. More companies are sure to bring… [Read More]
SMA America agrees to donate equipment and training time to GRID Alternatives projects
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When to repower aging utility-scale solar projects
By Thorsten Hoefer, product manager of repowering, SMA America As projects inevitably age, customers often ask, “When is the right time to repower?” The truth is, depending on the project circumstances, the answer might change. Here are some considerations to help project owners decide whether it is the right time to repower an aging solar… [Read More]