The transformerless design of the new Sunny Boy ensures high efficiency and reduced weight, and a simplified DC wiring concept allows the DC disconnect to be used as a wire raceway, saving labor and material. It is tested to UL 1741 and 1699B standards and has integrated AFCI, meeting NEC 2011 690.11 arc fault requirements.

“The features available with this inverter are unlike any we’ve seen for the residential market,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “From easy installation to improved power production to extensive monitoring and control capabilities, this energy solution is taking residential inverters to a new level.”

One of the most notable characteristics of the Sunny Boy 3000TL-US/4000TL-US/5000TL-US is its Secure Power Supply functionality, a groundbreaking feature that addresses the needs of grid-tied system owners during power outages. Secure Power Supply makes it possible for the inverter to provide up to 1,500 W of daytime standby power in the event of a grid outage for charging laptops, cell phones and more, without the need of additional, costly batteries.

With leading CEC efficiencies, a wide input voltage and extended operating temperature ranges from -40 to 140 F, the TL-US series offers maximum power production under a variety of conditions. A higher total power output results from the inverter’s shade tolerate OptiTrac™ Global Peak maximum power point (MPP) tracking algorithm, and two MPP trackers to manage multiple orientations.

It also provides easy monitoring and control features, including an optional plug-and-play Webconnect data module for easy system monitoring and direct data transmission from Sunny Portal, and a large graphic display. Communications via Zigbee® is also available, laying the groundwork for integration with future home energy management systems.

The Sunny Boy 3000TL-US/4000TL-US/5000TL-US will be available through SMA’s new, recently announced North American distribution program. To locate an authorized SMA distributor, solar professionals can visit SMA America’s website and click “Where to Buy” to learn more about each distribution partner.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.5 billion in 2012 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants and, as an energy management group, offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented internationally in 21 countries. The Group employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all plant sizes. The product range includes both inverters for photovoltaic plants connected to the grid as well as inverters for off-grid systems. SMA is therefore able to provide ideal technical inverter solutions for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and achieved first place in the nationwide “Great Place to Work®” competition in 2011 and 2012. www.SMA-America.com/www.SMA-Canada.ca

“This is an important step forward for SMA and its new partners,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “We are pleased to partner with these first-class organizations to set a positive precedent for the industry. Each partner shows commitment to quality and excellence, strength as a company, and comprehensive professional training and support offerings.”

The company intends to begin shipping several new products in the coming weeks and the new distribution model will ensure prompt product and service availability through a qualified network of national distribution partners. Solar professionals will benefit in a variety of ways including faster delivery, as distributors will carry increased warehouse stock. They will also see improved service and support such as greater access to valuable technical resources.

To locate an authorized SMA distributor, solar professionals can visit SMA America’s website and click “Where to Buy” to learn more about each distribution partner. A specially branded Authorized Distributor logo will help solar professionals identify SMA’s partners.

Partners in this new distribution program include:

 
• AEE Solar
• aleo solar North America
• Allied Building Products
• CED Greentech
• CentroSolar
• Conergy
• SolarWorld
• Soligent
• Sonepar USA Energy Solutions; Cooper Electric Supply Co., Independent Electric Supply, & Essco Wholesale Electric
• SunWize
• The Powerstore
 

Additional distributors will be added to the network as they meet the program requirements. Installers should visit www.SMA-America.com for the most up-to-date listing.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.5 billion in 2012 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants and, as an energy management group, offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented internationally in 21 countries. The Group employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all plant sizes. The product range includes both inverters for photovoltaic plants connected to the grid as well as inverters for off-grid systems. SMA is therefore able to provide ideal technical inverter solutions for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and achieved first place in the nationwide “Great Place to Work®” competition in 2011 and 2012. www.SMA-America.com/www.SMA-Canada.ca

“It means a great deal to SMA to partner with GRID Alternatives and help provide solar to this home,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “This will be a reliable, efficient system and thanks to the efforts of volunteers from GRID Alternatives and SMA, it will bring the benefits of solar power to a family that might not otherwise have access to it.”

The volunteer crew will install the system using a Sunny Boy 3000-US inverter donated by SMA and 11 solar panels. The system will be installed on a single-family home, helping the family reduce the burden of high energy bills and improve their quality of life.

“SMA’s generous donation of both product and volunteer time is a win for the family and a win for the environment,” said GRID Alternatives CFO/COO and Co-Founder Tim Sears. “GRID depends on partnerships like these to reach communities that are underserved by solar.”

This will be SMA’s first project with GRID Alternatives. The solar inverter solutions provider also supplied a Sunny Boy 5000-US for a second project site located in Yuba City, also scheduled to be completed this month.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.5 billion in 2012 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants and, as an energy management group, offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented internationally in 21 countries. The Group employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all plant sizes. The product range includes both inverters for photovoltaic plants connected to the grid as well as inverters for off-grid systems. SMA is therefore able to provide ideal technical inverter solutions for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and achieved first place in the nationwide “Great Place to Work®” competition in 2011 and 2012. www.SMA-America.com/www.SMA-Canada.ca

About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a non-profit organization that brings the benefits of solar technology to low-income communities. Using a barn-raising model, GRID Alternatives leads teams of volunteers and job trainees to install solar power on qualifying homes, providing needed savings for families struggling to make ends meet while preparing workers for jobs in the fast-growing solar industry and cleaning our air. More than 3000 families have benefitted from the program to date, saving more than $82 million in lifetime electricity costs, and more than 11,000 people have received hands-on solar installation experience. For more information, visit gridalternatives.org.

Media Contacts:
Jessica Dumont • Jessica.Dumont@SMA-America.com
Brad Dore • Brad.Dore@SMA-America.com
SMA America • 916 625 0870
SMA Canada • 877 506 1756

The NABCEP Continuing Education Conference is open to NABCEP certified solar professionals and their employees, licensed electricians working with PV and SMA Sunny PRO Club members. NABCEP’s goal is to foster industry growth through supporting programs that promote quality assurance in the sales and installation process. Last year’s event drew hundreds of participants.

Solar inverter solutions provider SMA America, headquartered in Rocklin, will be the exclusive premier sponsor, demonstrating its commitment to quality and training in the solar industry. The SMA Solar Academy will lead two technical training sessions at the conference. Attendees will also enjoy an SMA-sponsored networking reception, where they can trade installation best practices and discuss the latest in technology and design.

“Our longtime support of NABCEP and our role as the sponsor of this conference exemplify SMA’s belief in NABCEP’s mission,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “SMA is proud of its ongoing dedication to promote education, certification for installers and quality assurance.” 

Attendance at the conference will provide solar professionals access to dynamic training presentations with a focus on topics that will be instrumental to elevating industry standards and providing specialized education. Participants will be able to earn up to eighteen hours of continuing education credits.

A variety of topics will be covered in conference courses, including:

* Standalone and battery backup applications
* Off-grid, commercial and utility-scale design and installation
* Economics of solar
* Installation best practices
* Decentralized systems
* Safety

NABCEP and SMA anticipate a successful conference and a large turnout at this year’s event. This is a significant opportunity for renewable energy professionals to network with one another as well as industry experts and representatives from SMA. Click here for more information or to register.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com/www.SMA-Canada.ca

To further raise awareness and educate professionals about battery backup systems, SMA will hold a series of free training sessions on the East Coast during the month of February. Each session will focus on how Sunny Island 4548-US/6048-US inverters, which achieved record setting CEC efficiencies, can be used to establish micro grids and provide backup power when the utility grid goes down.

“With recent concerns over grid stability due to inclement weather or old infrastructure, SMA recognizes it’s important to provide a solution that puts people’s minds at ease,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “The Sunny Island is a reliable, versatile inverter and battery manager that can operate with or without solar, providing a cost-effective option for those who need backup power.”
 
The Sunny Island 4548-US/6048-US offers a simple solution for backup power to residents and businesses. A backup system using Sunny Islands with a minimal battery bank can operate with or without PV and can provide a reliable level of energy security.

Professionals can easily retrofit existing PV systems by adding battery-based backup or they can begin with backup and add PV at a later date. Regardless of system configuration, a generator can also be incorporated to increase energy availability.

Expanding upon the proven technology of the Sunny Island 5048-US, the Sunny Island 4548-US/6048-US inverters reach a new maximum efficiency of 96 percent and CEC-weighted efficiencies up to 94.5 percent, as well as up to a 20 percent increase in power output for the Sunny Island 6048-US. Additional features of the Sunny Island 4548-US and 6048-US include industry leading power output and intelligent battery management for maximum battery life, state-of-charge calculation and AC and DC coupling.

TRAINING SCHEDULE:

February 4, 2013
Hampton Inn Center City Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Penn.

February 7, 2013
Crown Plaza Edison
Edison, N.J.

February 8, 2013
Four Points by Sheraton Plainview Long Island
Long Island, N.Y.

February 11, 2013
Hilton Garden Inn Hartford South/Glastonbury
Hartford, Conn.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com/www.SMA-Canada.ca

Regional forums are one-day events that provide high-level training and product information and allow solar professionals to network with one another. Installers and electrical trade professionals benefit from the regional forums’ slate of technical training, product workshops and informative presentations led by the SMA Solar Academy.

“Attending a Sunny PRO Club Regional Forum allows industry professionals to gain insight into SMA’s latest technology as well as new ways to generate business,” said Ciara Wakefield, Sunny PRO Club manager for SMA America. “Attendees have also expressed great satisfaction with the networking opportunities offered at the forums.”
 
Each regional forum offers a full day of training sessions. The complete 2013 schedule includes the following:

• Residential PV solutions
• Decentralized commercial solutions
• Transformerless inverter technology
• Energy security with battery backup
• Communications and monitoring
• Sunny Design Web
• Sales tools and support
• SMA Service

“Before attending a regional forum in Denver last year, we at Nixon Solar were not aware of the support SMA offered to solar professionals in this very technical and demanding industry,” said Mark Brennan of Nixon Solar. “The Sunny PRO Club encourages members to participate in win-win opportunities. In our case, meeting with SMA professionals under the most gracious and hospitable of environments empowered us to reach our project goals, which we believe will bring profound opportunities to this ever-changing market.”

Each regional forum ends with a presentation from the Sunny PRO Club team. During the presentation attendees can learn more about how the Sunny PRO Club’s exclusive technical benefits, access to SMA Service personnel and customized marketing support can increase sales and improve operations.

For more information about the regional forums or to register please visit www.SMARegionalForums.com, email RegionalForums@SMA-America.com or call 877 506 1747.

REGIONAL FORUM SCHEDULE 2013
 
1/15/13, Seattle, WA

1/24/13, Las Vegas, NV

2/12/13, Riverside, CA
 
2/28/13, Honolulu, HI

3/19/13, Ottawa, ON

4/9/13, San Juan, PR

4/23/13, Kansas City, MO

5/7/13, Long Island, NY

5/9/13, Edison, NJ

6/4/13, Austin, TX

6/6/13, New Orleans, LA

7/23/13, Denver, CO

8/6/13, Albuquerque, NM

8/8/13, Scottsdale, AZ

9/17/13, Hartford, CT

9/19/13, Philadelphia, PA

10/8/13, Charlotte, NC

11/5/13, Cleveland, OH

11/14/13, San Diego, CA

12/10/13, Rocklin, CA

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com / www.SMA-Canada.ca 

Sunny Design was previously available as desktop software for download, and will still be available as a desktop application. The new Web version makes the program accessible for Mac, iPad and tablet users as well as PC users, and is also optimized for use with mobile devices. Current users who want to switch to the Web version can import projects from Sunny Design 2.0 into Sunny Design Web. Accessibility and work flow of the program will remain similar to Sunny Design 2.0.

“We’ve learned from our customers that Sunny Design is an extremely valuable tool,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “With this new offering, SMA wanted to increase the flexibility of that tool so that designers can have access to it anywhere on any type of device or browser. With the Web version, that is now possible.”

SMA’s Sunny Design program helps solar installers and system planners visualize possible PV plant designs and select the optimum configuration quickly and easily. Based on module selection and other basic system parameters, Sunny Design recommends inverter models and string sizing that accommodate the desired system size. Complex plants with several different sub-arrays and inverter types can be combined into a single project.

New benefits of using Sunny Design Web include customized access when users create a login identity and password, allowing them to save projects and preferences. Sunny Design Web also includes project management, battery storage systems and polystring design on a single MPPT. It offers an extensive database of all PV modules and specifications and inverter data. Another feature is the ability to schedule system monitoring and evaluation.

For each project, Sunny Design Web can estimate the potential rate of consumption, investment costs and the effect of the most important parameters on energy consumption. It will also provide a technical assessment of the design in a customized results report.

Sunny Design Web can be accessed at SunnyDesignWeb.com. It will be compatible with Mozilla Firefox 4 and above, Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and above, Google Chrome 14 and above, Safari 5 and above and Opera 11 and above.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com / www.SMA-Canada.ca

“Solar Canada allows us the opportunity to connect with customers and colleagues in Canada, which is a critical solar market for SMA,” said Henry Dziuba, president of SMA Canada. “We look forward to showcasing many of our Ontario FIT compliant products ideal for the Canadian market including residential, commercial and utility-scale solutions."

SMA’s signature event at this year’s show will be a one-day workshop led by the SMA Solar Academy called FIT 2.0 and SMA Inverters. The workshop will focus on Ontario’s new Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) and how SMA inverters can be utilized to their maximum potential. It will also highlight installation tips and best practices, inverter installation troubleshooting and how to use Sunny Boy string inverters in three-phase commercial applications.

The SMA Solar Academy will lead the workshop Sunday, December 2, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the day before Solar Canada officially begins. When registering, attendees can enter a discount code to attend the training session for $75, which is $100 less than the list price.

Products on display in SMA’s booth #1200 at Solar Canada will include:

• Sunny Boy 3000/3800/4000-US:  Certified to CSA standards, these inverters are highly efficient and offer design flexibility as well as safe installation (assembled in Canada; Ontario FIT compliant).
• Sunny Boy 5000/6000/7000/8000-US: This Sunny Boy line is SMA’s best-selling product line in the Canadian market. The CSA certified inverter offers exceptional efficiency and design flexibility, and also has integrated AFCI functionality. Extended operating temperature ranges to -40 C are available (assembled in Canada; Ontario FIT compliant).
• Sunny Central CP-US: The cUL CP-US series is the most cost-effective, efficient inverter line of its kind. It is rated for maximum input system voltages up to 1,000 VDC and 10 percent over nameplate output capacity at ambient temperatures up to 25 C, which translates to substantial balance of systems cost savings while delivering optimum performance (assembled in Canada; Ontario FIT compliant).
• Sunny Boy 240-US and the Multigate-US: SMA’s micro inverter features a streamlined design for high reliability and is ideal for residential projects and systems with multiple orientations. It also works well in hybrid string/micro systems, enhancing design flexibility for installers. The Sunny Multigate is an innovative interface that provides distortion free communications and power connection to the main service panel.
• Sunny Island 6048-US: The Sunny Island 6048-US expands upon the proven technology of SMA’s Sunny Island 5048-US with a new maximum efficiency of 96 percent. Features of the new Sunny Island include intelligent battery management for maximum battery life, state-of-charge calculation and AC and DC coupling. Their robust surge capability is ideal for starting large loads and their durability is enhanced with SMA’s patented OptiCool™ active temperature management system.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com / www.SMA-Canada.ca

Some victims of the hurricane were also SMA customers that relied on solar for at least a portion of their power supply. Many of them saw their Sunny Central inverters damaged beyond repair. In such cases, SMA will provide those customers with commissioning of replacement Sunny Central inverters at no charge to help them restore their systems as soon as possible.

“We cannot imagine the devastation that victims of the hurricane have suffered,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “At this time we want our customers to know they can count on us as a trusted partner. We know support is more crucial than ever in this time of great need, and we hope that our customers, their families and neighbors can get up and running again as soon as possible.”

Since some customers have not yet been able to determine the level of damage to their solar PV plants, SMA will continue to offer this support for the next several weeks and months as necessary. SMA hopes to do its part to provide some relief for those individuals affected by the destruction of Hurricane Sandy.

In some cases, SMA inverters helped residents maintain power during and after the hurricane when the power grid went down. For example, SMA inverters provided emergency power for more than a week after the storm hit in Bayonne, N.J. Two Sunny Central 125U inverters were used in a one-of-a-kind, commercial-scale solar electric system developed by Advanced Solar Products, Inc., which was installed in 2005.

The system helped power Midtown Community School in Bayonne, which served as the emergency evacuation center to residents during Hurricane Sandy. When the grid went down throughout the area, power remained at Midtown Community School thanks to the system powered by SMA inverters.

SMA will continue to collaborate with its partners and provide additional customer support until recovery from Hurricane Sandy is complete.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com / www.SMA-Canada.ca 

“We are passionate about promoting alternative energy and are excited about having this opportunity working with SMA,” said Richard Hatfield, owner of Lightning Motorcycle. “We believe people interested in electric vehicles are also attracted to powering them with clean solar power.”

Although Lightning Motorcycle has won multiple international racing competitions, this is the first time the organization has raced at El Mirage to set a new world record. The previous world record speed set at El Mirage was just over 170 mph.

“This event is a testament to how far electric vehicle and solar technology has come,” said Henry Dziuba, president and general manager of SMA America. “It is a thrill to see solar energy powering record-breaking vehicles, and it was a pleasure working with Lightning Motorcycle and DC Solar Solutions to achieve this great goal.”

SMA partnered with DC Solar Solutions to power the Lightning SuperBike. DC Solar Solutions designs, manufactures and deploys mobile solar generators to provide clean, alternative power. One of its mobile solar generators was on site, using two Sunny Islands to charge the Lightning Motorcycle vehicle prior to its record attempt. DC Solar Solutions’ mobile solar generators require no fuel, are noise and emissions free and reduce harmful carbon emissions.

“DC Solar is committed to innovation in renewable energy and providing the best solutions to its customers,” said Paulette Carpoff, vice president and owner of DC Solar Solutions. “We know SMA shares that same commitment to quality and reliability, which is why we chose to use SMA inverters in our mobile solar generators.”

The Sunny Island is SMA’s battery-based inverter for off-grid and backup power applications, offering exceptional efficiency and reliability.

About SMA
The SMA Group generated sales of €1.7 billion in 2011 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented in 21 countries on six continents. The Group employs more than 5,500 people worldwide, plus a number of temporary employees that varies on a seasonal basis. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all PV plant sizes. The product range includes inverters both for grid-connected PV plants and for off-grid systems. SMA can therefore provide an ideal inverter solution for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and in 2011 and 2012 achieved first place in Germany’s nationwide Great Place to Work® competition. www.SMA-America.com

About Lightning Motorcycles
Lightning Motorcycles is the brainchild of Richard Hatfield and a group of Silicon Valley engineers dedicated to the belief that world class performance is compatible with clean tech transportation. At Lightning Motorcycles we believe that choosing to ride an electric motorcycle should not be a compromise. We have honed our understanding of vehicle development as lifetime racers. We seek out competition to refine our technology. The Lightning SuperBike is equally suited to track days, weekend rides on your favorite back roads, or record runs at Bonneville or El Mirage.

With Lightning innovated technology, Lightning Motorcycles has established its dominance competing and winning in multiple internationally recognized superbike races. In 2011, Lightning set the land speed record 215.960 mph (top speed of 218.637 mph) and became the world fastest electric production bike. The company’s mission is to develop the most innovative competition race bike and use that technology to produce and distribute affordable two wheel electric vehicles to commuter markets worldwide. www.lightningmotorcycle.com