About SMA America, Inc.

SMA America, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, based in Germany. With over 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, solar installers as well as small and large businesses worldwide.

About SMA Solar Technology AG

The SMA Solar Technology AG, with its headquarters in Niestetal, Germany, and with eight international subsidiaries on four continents, develops and sells solar inverters, central components of every solar power system. The SMA Group has approximately 2,500 employees currently (including temporary workers, trainees, interns and undergraduates) and generated approximately 680 million euros in sales in 2008.

A photovoltaic plant is only as good as its solar inverters. It converts the direct current (DC) generated by the solar modules to grid-compatible alternating current (AC). Intelligent systems technology plays an increasingly important role in this because the microprocessor-controlled solar inverters ensure that the solar plant is grid-integrated while also monitoring the plant performance. In particular, SMA Technologie AG has the systems technology know-how to ensure the cost-effective use of solar technology on a commercially viable scale.

The company can supply state-of-the-art solar inverters for both grid-connected and stand-alone solar installations – regardless of the type of solar module or the plant capacity. SMA has been setting new industry standards in decentralized and renewable energy supply technology for more than 25 years and has made a major contribution to the development of solar technology. SMA for example has set a new world record for solar inverters with an efficiency of 98%. SMA products are also regularly awarded top marks by independent consumer organizations: the patented Sunny Boy solar inverters have been voted test winner each time by Stiftung Warentest, Germany’s leading consumer advocacy group.
Its extensive experience with grid-connected photovoltaic systems has also given SMA access to key technologies of the future: the Sunny Island inverter makes it possible to provide a power supply in remote and off-grid areas. The combination of PV power plant and Sunny Island inverter could allow electrical energy to be supplied to many of the two billion or so people who do not have electricity at present.

SMA was founded in 1981 by Günther Cramer (CEO, Development), Peter Drews (Operations) and Reiner Wettlaufer (Finance) in Kassel. Pierre-Pascal Urbon (Sales & Marketing) became the fourth member of the board of directors in 2006. The management of SMA promotes a unique corporate culture that turns employees into partners: This is achieved by involving them in the information and decision making processes as well as through a profit-sharing scheme. Not least for this reason, SMA Solar Technology AG has received several awards in recognition of its outstanding achievements as an employer.