“The Sunny Tower is an ideal product for residential solar installers looking to tap into the commercial market during this challenging economy,” said Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “The powerful inverter system is pre-configured with six Sunny Boy inverters enabling it to handle commercial applications with the same best-in-class performance and reliability installers expect from SMA.”

The inverter system is pre-configured for a per-tower capacity of 36 or 42 kilowatts. The Sunny Tower requires only a fraction of the space that would normally be needed to hang multiple string inverters and its modular design eliminates the need for cost prohibitive, heavy machinery, like large central inverters. Its purchase-cycle is also shorter than that of central inverters, translating to faster project turnover for installers and increased ROI for their customers.

The Sunny Tower is both simple to connect and versatile, featuring three-phase output and the ability to handle anything from 36 kW systems to large projects with multiple towers scaled together. It also offers installers ease-of-installation and industry-leading efficiency, resulting in the lowest possible cost per watt. The innovative product allows integrators the opportunity to maximize rebates and power production, while minimizing the overall payback period.

Taking advantage of its modular design, technicians can disconnect the Sunny Tower’s inverters independently, leaving the rest of the system operational, greatly reducing overall down time and maximizing energy yield.

Production monitoring is also easily done through the Sunny Portal, a free Web-based portal that provides a graphic display of the system’s performance data via a Web browser at any time, from anywhere in the world. System performance data is uploaded to the Sunny Portal via the available built-in Sunny WebBox at intervals chosen by the user. Optional equipment can also be added for PBI (Performance Based Incentive) compliance.

Its innovative racking system also makes the Sunny Tower an attractive display, creating a stunning visual focal point highlighting the end-user’s solar commitment.

About SMA America, Inc.
SMA America, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, based in Germany. SMA is the world leader in solar inverter technology and manufacturing with divisions in nine countries on four continents. SMA is committed to its leadership role, offering exceptional value with the most
efficient and reliable solar inverters in the industry. SMA takes special pride in promoting renewable energy solutions at all levels through education, information and support for the general public and solar installers, as well as for small and large businesses worldwide. For more information, call (916) 625-0870 or visit www.SMA-America.com.

As a principle member of the management team, Wojciechowski will develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy for all North American products and services. He will also drive overall business development, as well as focus on strengthening existing SMA America client relationships.

“Dave brings a clear vision and powerful leadership to our U.S.-based sales team,” said Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “We look forward to utilizing his strengths in the management of all aspects of the sales chain and we are confident that he will greatly complement our existing goal of continued sales growth.”

Wojciechowski will report directly to Krehnke and will be responsible for leading the region’s entire sales and training team.

Before joining SMA, Wojciechowski was the director of global sales at Emcore Broadband (formerly Ortel Corporation), a fiber optic and photovoltaic company specializing in communications products, where he was responsible for North American, Asian and European sales. Prior to that, he held management-level positions in product development, manufacturing and sales for companies specializing in the pharmaceutical industry, including Thomas Engineering, Inc. and Lederle Laboratories.

Wojciechowski earned his MBA from Columbia University. He also obtained a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, as well as a bachelor of arts in chemistry from State University New York at Potsdam, where he graduated magna cum laude.

About SMA America, Inc.
SMA America, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, based in Germany. SMA is the world leader in solar inverter technology and manufacturing with divisions in nine countries on four continents. SMA is committed to its leadership role, offering exceptional value with the most efficient and reliable solar inverters in the industry. SMA takes special pride in promoting renewable energy solutions at all levels through education, information and support for the general public and solar installers, as well as for small and large businesses worldwide. For more information, call (916) 625-0870 or visit www.SMA-America.com.

Niestetal, February 19, 2009 - The SMA Solar Technology AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: S92) has concluded the most successful fiscal year in the company's history, with record turnover and earnings.

According to provisional figures, the company was able to more than double its turnover, from 327 million euros in the previous year to approx. 680 million in 2008, thanks to the large demand for SMA PV inverters. The EBIT increased during the reporting period by about 170 %, to over 160 million euros (previous year:  59 million euros). In this way, SMA improved the EBIT margin from 18 % in 2007 to over 24 %. In view of the excellent business development, the board of directors and the supervisory board will propose a dividend of 1.00 euros per share to the annual general assembly. SMA will present the complete annual financial statement at the press conference on annual results, on March 31st, 2009 in Frankfurt am Main.

"We achieved outstanding business results in 2008, expanded our market and technological leadership at the same time, and increased our export share", explained Günther Cramer, CEO of the SMA Solar Technology AG.

Further developments in the photovoltaic market are difficult to assess, due to the present situation in the financial market. The market for PV modules has changed increasingly from a seller's market to a buyer's market in recent months, with a significant reduction in the price of modules. However, inverter manufacturers like SMA are not affected by this development, since there has been intense competition in this market segment from the beginning. SMA adjusted very well to these competitive conditions early on.

"The photovoltaic market will develop further especially with regard to technological innovation for cost reduction and to increasing internationalization. Therefore SMA will continue to expand the area of research and development, and it will position itself early in new markets, ambitioning the market leadership", added Günther Cramer. "In order to make available the required additional management resources, we will expand the Board of Directors with managerial staff who have proven themselves in supervisory positions at SMA over several years".

Consequently, the Board of Supervisors decided today to expand the Board of Directors from four to five members and to implement a new distribution of the Management Department. In addition, company founders Günther Cramer and Peter Drews will extend their directorship contracts, which expire in August 2009, to 2011. With this decision they guarantee full continuity at the management level.

Within the framework of these adjustments, the Management Department for Strategy and Development will be apportioned. CEO Günther Cramer will concentrate on the further development of company strategy and on the Personnel Department in the future. Both areas are of decisive significance for the long-term successful future of SMA.

The new Director of Development will be Dipl.-Ing. Roland Grebe (48) who has been at SMA for 24 years and who, as Area Manager, drives the development of important product lines. By naming a directorship with development as its sole area of responsibility, SMA creates the best conditions for the planned increase in capacity in the R & D department, and for the continued expansion of technological leadership.

Reiner Wettlaufer, Director of Finance, decided not to extend his directorship contract due to his personal life plans, and instead will be a candidate for the Board of Supervisors in the annual general assembly of 2009. He will remain tied to the company in the long-term as member of the board of supervisors and as one of the main shareholders.
 
"Together with the other two founders, Reiner Wettlaufer has established SMA as one of the best companies in the photovoltaic branch with great personal dedication", said Dr. Erik Ehrentraut, Director of the Board of Supervisors. "He has led the finance department in an exemplary fashion in all development phases of the company, namely in times of extreme growth and international expansion, and, in addition, was instrumental in the preparation and execution of the successful IPO in June 2008. The Board of Supervisors thanks him for his great performance and his personal engagement over 28 years."

His position will be taken over by Pierre-Pascal Urbon, who is now Director of Sales, Marketing and Investor Relations. The declared finance and capital markets expert will join the Finance Department with the responsibilities for Investor Relations.

Dipl.-Ing. Marko Werner (45) will join the Board of Directors, where he will be Pierre-Pascal Urbon's successor as Director of Sales and Marketing. Marko Werner has been 22 years with SMA and as Senior Vice President was responsible for sales company-wide.

This way, starting on June 11, 2009, the day after the annual general assembly, the SMA Solar Technology AG Board of Directors will consist of the following five members: Günther Cramer (Speaker, Strategy & Personnel), Peter Drews (Business Operations), Roland Grebe (Development), Pierre-Pascal Urbon (Finance & Investor Relations) and Marko Werner (Sales and Marketing).

Directors Günther Cramer and Peter Drews have announced, in addition, that after expiration of their two-year contracts in 2011 they will run for election into the Board of Supervisors. All founders will remain tied to the company as major shareholders and will also hold their shares in the long-term.

With the expanded Board of Directors, SMA will continue to pursue its success strategy consistently, which is characterized by a comprehensive product spectrum, clear technological leadership, worldwide presence with sales and service subsidiaries and high flexibility in manufacture.


About SMA Solar Technology AG
SMA is the global leader in the market for solar inverters, a central component of every solar power system. The SMA group's head office is located in Niestetal, near Kassel in Germany. It is represented internationally by foreign subsidiaries on four continents in eight countries. The group currently employs more than 2,500 people (including temporary employees). SMA produces a broad range of inverter types which offers suitable inverters for every photovoltaic module type used and for photovoltaic systems in all power ranges. The product palette includes inverters both for grid-connected photovoltaic systems and for stand-alone systems. Since June 27, 2008, the company has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92), and since September 22, 2008, the company's shares have been listed in the TecDAX. In the past recent years, SMA was recognized several times with awards for its outstanding performance as an employer.


Press contact:
SMA Solar Technology AG

Volker Wasgindt
Head of Press and Association Works
Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany
Tel.: +49 561 9522-11 21
Fax:+49 561 9522-11 03
Volker.Wasgindt@SMA.de

Investor Relations

Anna Raudszus (institutional investors/analysts)
Tel. +49 561 9522-11 72

Julia Damm (private investors)
Tel. +49 561 9522-22 22

Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany
Fax.+49 561 9522-22 23
ir@sma.de

Disclaimer:
This document contains statements information and statements pertaining to the future - that is, statements about events in the future, not the past. These statements about the future can be recognized by such choices of terms as "to expect", "to want", "to anticipate", "to intend to", "to plan", "to believe", "to strive for", "to estimate", "to become", or similar terms. Such predictive statements are based upon our present expectations and specific assumptions. Because of this, they imply, intrinsically, a set of risks and uncertainties. A multitude of factors, many of which are beyond the sphere of influence of SMA, have an effect on SMA's business activities, success, business strategy and earnings. These factors could result in SMA's actual earnings, success, and performance differing significantly from the declared or implicit indications about earnings, success or performance included in the statements about the future. For us, such uncertainties are a result of, among other factors: changes in general economic and business circumstances  (including developments affecting margins), changes in the legal framework, and of rates of exchange and interest. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties come to pass, or should it turn out that the underlying assumptions were not correct, the actual result could differ positively or negatively from those results which were indicated in the statements about the future as being the expected, anticipated, intended, projected or estimated results. SMA accepts no liability and does not intend to update or correct these statements about the future, should there be developments other than those expected.

ROCKLIN, Calif., Jan. 20, 2009—Solar installers from across the nation are flocking to SMA America, Inc.’s state-of-the-art training center to participate in the solar inverter company’s hugely popular Solar Academy. The training center—recently opened at SMA’s U.S. headquarters in Rocklin—is just one component of the academy, which offers a comprehensive range of seminars regarding SMA products, code compliance and installation best practices.

Solar Academy sessions are available throughout the year, with 12 scheduled for January 2009 alone. The educational seminars, which run the gamut from residential and commercial systems design to data logging with SMA’s Sunny WebBox, qualify for NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) continuing education credits. Webinars also are available.

“The Solar Academy is an excellent example of SMA’s commitment to supporting its installers,” says Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “By providing ongoing education and technical training for our installers, we believe the end user will receive the best service and system performance.”

Aside from providing seminar space for the Solar Academy, the training center features an innovative inverter display for demonstrations and technical support. Wall-mounted Sunny Boy and Sunny Island inverters are not only accessible to academy attendees at the training center, but also are visible to installers via webcam for remote troubleshooting.

About SMA America, Inc.
SMA America, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, based in Germany. SMA is the world leader in solar inverter technology and manufacturing with divisions in nine countries on four continents. SMA is committed to its leadership role, offering exceptional value with the most efficient and reliable solar inverters in the industry. SMA takes special pride in promoting renewable energy solutions at all levels through education, information and support for the general public and solar installers, as well as for small and large businesses worldwide. For more information, call (916) 625-0870 or visit www.SMA-America.com.

• Sunny Central 250U: The next generation Sunny Central 250U central inverter is ideal for large-scale commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems. It delivers industry-leading efficiency—97 percent (CEC weighted) and 97.5 percent (peak)—along with an integrated isolation transformer and updated user interface with an intuitive graphical LCD display.
• Sunny Island 5048U: The Sunny Island 5048U creates continuous, reliable off-grid power from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro for village electrification. It provides uninterrupted power of 5,000 watts at 120VAC at 25°C (or 77°F) and features a new interface that makes on-site configuration quick and simple.
• Next Generation Residential Inverter: SMA’s residential inverter of the future features a slim-line design for installation between wall studs, making it perfect for new residential construction and retrofitting. While sporting a new and exciting look, this innovative inverter will offer the superior reliability and top efficiency for which SMA’s inverters are known.
• Solar-is-Future.com: Solar-is-Future.com is a user-friendly, educational Web site that uses animation, illustrations and descriptions in easy-to-understand language to explain how solar energy can be harvested and utilized. At the site, visitors can research the benefits of solar power, access background information about PV system installation and utilize the Solar Power Professional Search, which allows users to locate solar power system installers by zip code.
• Solar-is-Future.com/Kids: Solar-is-Future.com/Kids is an online solar resource designed specifically for children. In addition to providing a wealth of information about solar power, this site features interactive diagrams, games and animation.

About Solar Power International
Solar Power International, previously called Solar Power Conference and Expo, is the premier solar event in the United States. Created in 2004 by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Solar Power International provides an opportunity for the solar industry to interact with potential customers, policymakers, investors and other parties necessary for continued rapid growth. This year, the event will feature more than 400 exhibitors and will draw about 15,500 attendees. More information about Solar Power International is available at www.solarpowerconference.com. 

About SMA America, Inc.
SMA America, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, based in Germany. With more than three gigawatts installed, SMA is the world leader in solar inverter technology and manufacturing with divisions in nine countries on four continents. SMA is committed to its leadership role, offering exceptional value with the most efficient and reliable solar inverters in the industry. SMA takes special pride in promoting renewable energy solutions at all levels through education, information and support for the general public and solar installers, as well as for small and large businesses worldwide. For more information, call (916) 625-0870 or visit www.SMA-America.com.