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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How to choose between string and microinverters in residential solar projects
String inverters and microinverters take very different approaches to converting DC power to usable AC power in solar projects. In a string inverter installation, high-voltage DC power from all panels in an array is routed into one inverter where it’s converted to AC power. In a microinverter system, a small inverter is connected to each… [Read More]
SMA releases upgraded, SunSpec-compliant Sunny Boy-US inverters
SMA has unveiled a new and improved version of its Sunny Boy-US line of inverters, part of the company’s Power+ residential solar offering. The new Sunny Boy will offer the latest technology and include enhanced safety features to comply with current industry regulations. “The new Sunny Boy-US line of inverters has been updated to meet… [Read More]
Price pressure will cause more inverter companies to consolidate, says WoodMac report
Wood Mackenzie’s newly released report, “The global PV inverter and MLPE landscape 2019,” found the total revenue for the Top 5 global PV inverter vendors underwent a year-over-year decline of 10% last year due to “price pressure and fierce competition.” The report found that although global PV inverter shipments will continue to rise, market value will… [Read More]