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.
Featured Articles & Products Read More >
How to meet NEC 2017 rapid shutdown requirements
The Section 690.12 update to the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) calls for module-level rapid shutdown of solar systems instead of NEC 2014’s array-level shutdown requirement. Starting Jan. 1, 2019 when NEC 2017 goes into effect in certain jurisdictions, all conductors within an array’s 1-ft boundary have to be reduced to 80 V or less… [Read More]
SMA offers pre-assembled utility power rack
SMA is taking orders for its utility power rack 5000/5500, an integrated solution that offers up to 40% integration cost savings over alternative solutions. It is completely pre-assembled for easy set up and commissioning, reducing time-consuming labor processes in the field and minimizing installation risk. “The highly integrated Utility Power Rack offers a simple, convenient… [Read More]
Sacramento International Airport goes solar
The Sacramento International Airport (SMF), which saw 10.9 million passengers travel through last year, recently advanced its sustainability efforts with a new PV system. The 7.9-MW project at SMF, which uses SMA inverters, consists of two sites: A 15-acre plot near the airport’s economy parking lot, and a 20-acre location north of the runway. In… [Read More]