SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) received the Intersolar AWARD at Intersolar Europe 2013 in Munich. The jury acknowledged the Sunny Boy Smart Energy from SMA as the best product in the "Photovoltaics" category. The first wall-mounted, mass-produced PV inverter with an integrated battery can increase the self-consumption of solar power in households by up to 50%. With this award, SMA again demonstrates its technological leadership and emphasizes the significance of intelligent system technology in the decentralized, renewable energy supply of the future. SMA received the Intersolar AWARD for the third time.
Important Building Block for the Energy Supply of the Future
"The prize awarded to the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is clear confirmation of our approach," explains SMA Chief Technology Officer Roland Grebe. "The complete energy supply from decentralized, renewable sources is feasible only through wide use of decentralized storage systems, which not only optimize the local supply but also compensate for grid-level power fluctuations and support grid control. To ensure the progress of the energy transition, affordable, easy to install and intelligently connected plug and play systems are needed, which suite nearly every household. Combining a battery, modern power electronics as well as intelligent system control, they provide even small PV systems with power plant features such as standby power and black start capability. In addition, they are able to replicate the stabilizing effect of rotating masses, contributing to the line voltage, and in so doing, gradually replace conventional must-run units."
Small Storage - Economical and Efficient
The Sunny Boy Smart Energy is the result of SMA's extensive research and development in the field of storage and energy management. The usable capacity of the integrated lithium-ion battery of about 2 kWh enables ideal economical operation in typical residential PV systems. While self-consumption increases only slightly with growing storage capacity, storage utilization decreases. The energy stored by the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is sufficient to supply a four-person household with about three hours of electric current in the evening. Overall, the new inverter raises the self-consumption rate by up to 50%. In addition, the integrated lithium-ion battery is designed with a service life of 10 years and a depth of discharge of 90%. This reduces the initial level of investment, overall costs over 20 years and space requirements.
Due to its design as a compact and fully integrated wall-mounted device, the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is just as quick and easy to install as a typical PV inverter, and needs no extra planning and design.
Integration Into the Smart Grid of the Future
The Sunny Boy Smart Energy blends seamlessly into the SMA Smart Home. Based on Sunny Home Manager generation and consumption forecasts, household appliances and battery can be managed in such a way that the storage system reduces the amount of electricity that must be transported by the utility grid, and evens out the fluctuating photovoltaic power generation. This not only makes the use of batteries even more efficient and gives the system operator more independence from rising electricity prices but also enables integration into future Smart Grid business models.
Particular Attention to Safety
During the development of the Sunny Boy Smart Energy, SMA paid special attention to safety. The VDE supported the entire development and both inverters and battery packages will be tested by VDE. In addition, SMA as well as the battery manufacturer LG Chem boast decades-long experience in the field of storage systems. Market launch of the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is planned for the second half of 2013.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the "Company") or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the "SMA Group") nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.
Important Building Block for the Energy Supply of the Future
"The prize awarded to the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is clear confirmation of our approach," explains SMA Chief Technology Officer Roland Grebe. "The complete energy supply from decentralized, renewable sources is feasible only through wide use of decentralized storage systems, which not only optimize the local supply but also compensate for grid-level power fluctuations and support grid control. To ensure the progress of the energy transition, affordable, easy to install and intelligently connected plug and play systems are needed, which suite nearly every household. Combining a battery, modern power electronics as well as intelligent system control, they provide even small PV systems with power plant features such as standby power and black start capability. In addition, they are able to replicate the stabilizing effect of rotating masses, contributing to the line voltage, and in so doing, gradually replace conventional must-run units."
Small Storage - Economical and Efficient
The Sunny Boy Smart Energy is the result of SMA's extensive research and development in the field of storage and energy management. The usable capacity of the integrated lithium-ion battery of about 2 kWh enables ideal economical operation in typical residential PV systems. While self-consumption increases only slightly with growing storage capacity, storage utilization decreases. The energy stored by the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is sufficient to supply a four-person household with about three hours of electric current in the evening. Overall, the new inverter raises the self-consumption rate by up to 50%. In addition, the integrated lithium-ion battery is designed with a service life of 10 years and a depth of discharge of 90%. This reduces the initial level of investment, overall costs over 20 years and space requirements.
Due to its design as a compact and fully integrated wall-mounted device, the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is just as quick and easy to install as a typical PV inverter, and needs no extra planning and design.
Integration Into the Smart Grid of the Future
The Sunny Boy Smart Energy blends seamlessly into the SMA Smart Home. Based on Sunny Home Manager generation and consumption forecasts, household appliances and battery can be managed in such a way that the storage system reduces the amount of electricity that must be transported by the utility grid, and evens out the fluctuating photovoltaic power generation. This not only makes the use of batteries even more efficient and gives the system operator more independence from rising electricity prices but also enables integration into future Smart Grid business models.
Particular Attention to Safety
During the development of the Sunny Boy Smart Energy, SMA paid special attention to safety. The VDE supported the entire development and both inverters and battery packages will be tested by VDE. In addition, SMA as well as the battery manufacturer LG Chem boast decades-long experience in the field of storage systems. Market launch of the Sunny Boy Smart Energy is planned for the second half of 2013.
Disclaimer:
This press release serves only as information and does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for, acquire, hold or sell any securities of SMA Solar Technology AG (the "Company") or any present or future subsidiary of the Company (together with the Company, the "SMA Group") nor should it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract to purchase or subscribe for any securities in the Company or any member of the SMA Group or commitment whatsoever. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.
