ROCKLIN, Calif., Aug. 12, 2008—SMA America, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of global solar technology giant SMA Solar Technology AG, has unveiled the next generation Sunny Central 250U central inverter for commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems. The updated unit delivers industry-leading efficiency—97 percent, by CEC-weighting standards—along with an integrated isolation transformer and an updated user interface with an intuitive graphical LCD display. Best of all, at a time when commercial demand for solar power has never been greater, the Sunny Central 250U is available immediately.

The UL Listed Sunny Central 250U acts as the heart of any large-scale commercial PV system, turning the raw electricity from the solar cells into usable, grid-quality power. Whether installed indoors or out, it’s able to accomplish this feat with stunning efficiency. Not only is its CEC-weighted efficiency rated at 97 percent, but its peak efficiency reaches an incredible 97.5 percent. That translates into greater savings and accelerated payback for the businesses that use it.

With its updated user interface, the Sunny Central 250U offers a graphical readout of daily plant production, as well as the status of the PV array, inverter and utility grid.

The new Sunny Central 250U is now compatible with industry-standard building management and energy service software protocols, and integrates easily into energy-aware infrastructures. A vast array of communication options allows users to monitor energy production, system and grid status, and weather data.

The redesigned Sunny Central 250U represents years of innovative design experience by the world's largest manufacturer of PV inverters, SMA Solar Technology AG.

In addition to various illustrations explaining solar radiation, solar power systems and solar thermal energy, Solar-is-Future.com features an animated grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) system, which comprises the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. solar market. The animation clearly shows how PV system components are connected and examples of where the components would be installed in a residential system. Basic components include a solar array, inverter and meter. By clicking on a component, a box appears that explains the component and its function.

Elsewhere on the Solar-is-Future site is a Solar Power Professional Search where visitors can locate solar power system installers by zip code. There is also an extensive Frequently Asked Questions section that covers common concerns such as whether a building permit is required when installing a solar power system. The site’s comprehensive glossary defines the solar power industry' s most-used terms, including alternating current, grid-connected system and kilowatt hour.

ROCKLIN, Calif., Aug. 5, 2008—SMA America, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of global solar technology giant SMA Solar Technology AG, has partnered with SunEdison as one of the sponsors of the upcoming SunEdison City Tour for Solar—a 100-day, 50-city educational tour that will teach municipal leaders, energy companies and the public about solar power. The tour, which consists of two mobile exhibits traveling across the Western U.S., kicked off Aug. 1 in Golden, Colo., and will conclude in Sacramento, Calif., on Nov. 14.

Each mobile exhibit will feature a fully functioning photovoltaic (PV) system and various hands-on displays designed for public interaction. SMA’s display will include its Sunny Boy 6000US inverter, which highlights the inner workings of the heart of the PV system. Solar inverters convert the raw energy harvested by solar panels into alternating current for household use. SMA’s Sunny Boy line—which includes the new 3000US/4000US and 5000US/6000US/7000US models, geared especially toward the American solar market—comprises the world’s most efficient and reliable solar inverters.

“SMA is excited to be a part of the SunEdison City Tour for Solar,” says Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “As the world leader in solar inverter technology, educating the public about the benefits of harvesting and using solar power is a top priority.”

Also at the exhibit, visitors will be able to participate in the “Solar Solution” game, view the “Steps to Solar” video and gather informational materials.

A special public event will be held at the conclusion of the tour at SMA’s corporate headquarters in Rocklin.

About the SunEdison City Tour for Solar
The SunEdison City Tour for Solar was designed to educate the public about solar power and help city officials and legislators understand how to deploy solar energy in a cost-effective manner. The tour will visit 50 cities in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.

About SunEdison
SunEdison LLC is North America’s largest solar energy services provider and operates across a global marketplace. SunEdison provides solar-generated energy at or below current retail utility rates to a broad and diverse client base of commercial, municipal and utility customers. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com.

GRASS VALLEY, Calif., April 29, 2008—SMA America, Inc., the United States division of global solar technology giant SMA Technologie AG, is proud to report that the installed base of its wildly popular Sunny Boy line of inverters—the key component in a solar power system that turns direct-current power generated by solar panels into usable household current—has topped 750,000 units worldwide. Together, these Sunny Boy inverters are able to provide an astonishing aggregate of three billion watts (i.e., three gigawatts) of safe, usable, grid-quality power.

The reasons for the worldwide success of the Sunny Boy line are straightforward: reliability and efficiency. Ideally suited for residential and light commercial use, the newest Sunny Boy models are certified to the new UL 1741/IEEE 1547 standard, and lead the CEC list with the highest efficiencies, ranging from 95 to 96 percent. Their longevity is enhanced via their patented OptiCool® temperature-management systems and rugged cast-aluminum, outdoorrated enclosures. As proof of their reliability, Sunny Boy inverters are backed by a generous 10-year factory warranty.

"We’re incredibly proud of this achievement," notes SMA America, Inc. President Pierre- Pascal Urbon. "It reinforces SMA’s status as the world’s largest inverter manufacturer, and the Sunny Boy as the world’s most popular inverter."

The worldwide Sunny Boy lineup includes more than a dozen models, including the new Sunny Boy 3000US/4000US and 5000US/6000US/7000US configurations, geared especially toward the American solar market.

GRASS VALLEY, Calif., May 6, 2008—Global solar technology giant SMA Technologie AG, the parent company of SMA America, Inc., has broken ground on an 82,000-square-foot solar inverter manufacturing plant in Kassel, Germany. The largest of its kind on the planet, the new facility is designed to triple SMA’s current production capacity to meet the global demand for its wildly popular solar inverters. It will support all manufacturing efforts for SMA America including production of the Sunny Boy 3000US/4000US and Sunny Boy 5000US/6000US/7000US inverters, created specifically for the American solar market. Construction is expected to wrap up in the fall.

“With this new facility, SMA Technologie AG is once again significantly optimizing its manufacturing processes,” says Günther Cramer, CEO of SMA Technologie AG. “At the same time, the plant will set the new standard for the energy efficiency of industrial buildings.”

The state-of-the-art manufacturing plant will feature an innovative carbon dioxide neutral energy concept. The energy needed for the production process will be supplied exclusively from renewable energy sources, including a building-integrated, 1.1-megawatt photovoltaic system and a regional biogas plant. The building itself will harvest electricity and heat from two gas-powered combined heat and power plants. An absorption refrigeration system will allow the waste heat from these plants to be used for cooling the facility in the summer and heating it during the winter. The plant also will feature natural ventilation systems, and natural and artificial lighting systems.

The new manufacturing plant is expected to create about 1,000 new jobs.

“We are very excited about the new manufacturing plant,” says Jeffrey Philpott, marketing manager for SMA America. “The increased production capacity of the facility will help SMA America keep up with the enormous demand for its Sunny Boy line of inverters.”

SMA’s successful Sunny Boy line of inverters—which are renowned for their reliability and efficiency—has reached a total installed base of more than 750,000 units worldwide. Together, these Sunny Boy inverters are able to provide an astonishing aggregate of three billion watts (i.e., three gigawatts) of safe, usable, grid-quality power.