SMA Solar Technology
Encyclopedia
SMA Solar Technology AG is a German
solar energy equipment supplier founded in 1981 and based in Niestetal, a suburb of Kassel, Germany. It is the world's largest manufacturer of inverters for solar photovoltaic modules with a revenue of 1.9 billion € and estimated 40% share of the global market in 2010.
electricity, the inverter
is an essential system component to 1) transform electricity from DC to AC for use in national electric grids 2) optimize the power coming from solar arrays by continuously finding the maximum power point (MPP) along the short circuit current/open circuit voltage (IV) curve of the arrays and 3) provide safety functions, such as isolating a solar array from the main electrical grid during maintenance or repairs. Since September 22nd, 2008 SMA has been listed on the TecDAX
. As of end-2010, the number of employees is approximately 5,500.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
solar energy equipment supplier founded in 1981 and based in Niestetal, a suburb of Kassel, Germany. It is the world's largest manufacturer of inverters for solar photovoltaic modules with a revenue of 1.9 billion € and estimated 40% share of the global market in 2010.
History
The company was founded in 1981 to commercialize the emerging solar technologies industry. As most renewable energy forms (e.g., solar, wind, hydropower) generate direct currentDirect current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
electricity, the inverter
Inverter
Inverter may refer to* Inverter , a device that converts direct current to alternating current** Inverter , an air conditioner that can continuously regulate its output by altering the compressor speed in response to cooling demand** Uninterruptible power supply, which often are based on an...
is an essential system component to 1) transform electricity from DC to AC for use in national electric grids 2) optimize the power coming from solar arrays by continuously finding the maximum power point (MPP) along the short circuit current/open circuit voltage (IV) curve of the arrays and 3) provide safety functions, such as isolating a solar array from the main electrical grid during maintenance or repairs. Since September 22nd, 2008 SMA has been listed on the TecDAX
TecDAX
The TecDAX stock index tracks the performance of the 30 largest German companies from the technology sector. In terms of order book turnover and market capitalization the companies rank below those included in the DAX.The TecDax was introduced on 24 March 2003...
. As of end-2010, the number of employees is approximately 5,500.