How to

New training concept for central inverter maintenance

It's all in the mix: In the new "blended learning" format, the SMA Solar Academy is now combining digital and analog maintenance training for the Sunny Central and Sunny Central Storage central inverters. There are only two days of classroom training at the Solar Academy. Prior to that, the theory will be provided on four half days as remote training. "This is more flexible, fits better into everyday work and family life, and the participants save on accommodation costs," says Academy trainer Jan Rössler.

Company

Danielle talks about starting her career in the solar industry

One of the fastest growing job markets, working in the renewables industry is good for you and the planet. Increasingly, people are turning to a career in solar energy at various stages of their professional lives. But is everyone suited to solar? We speak to Danielle Budd, SMA UK’s Logistics Coordinator. Danielle joined SMA at the beginning of her career in solar energy – now after three years with SMA, find out how she finds working in the renewables sector and what she’s learning from the team.

Solutions

Safety of PV systems: Your questions, our answers

The safety of a PV system depends, among other things, on the design of the overall system. Modern string inverters with integrated features enable a slim system design. This avoids potential sources of error, for example through additional cabling effort when installing module electronics. In a webinar "Analyzing PV system safety and the promise of optimizers" in June 2022, Dr. Heribert Schmidt from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and SMA expert Hannes Knopf discussed the influence of different system designs on the safety of PV systems. Afterwards we received so many exciting questions on the topic, which we would like to share with you. Our colleague Hannes Knopf answered the most frequently asked questions here.

Company

Sarika on the impact of her own work and more women at SMA

Sarika Agarwal has been working at SMA Altenso for five years. The subsidiary of SMA was founded in 2014 and focuses on innovative off-grid, hybrid, and battery-based projects with a focus on the Altenso regions (Africa, Central America and Caribbean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Pacific). As a System Development Engineer, Sarika is now a battery specialist. She tells us in an interview how she came to SMA and why she is so motivated by working on the energy transition.

How to

Service tip: How to replace your old data logger

The following step-by-step instructions explain how system operators can easily modernize their PV system with a new data logger. So here’s how to replace SMA Sunny WebBox with SMA Data Manager M.

Solutions

Grid stability and secure returns with renewable energies

The energy transition will succeed only if the majority of our electricity is generated from renewable energy sources. But these are subject to weather-dependent fluctuations. The SMA Energy System for battery-storage power plants provides grid-forming capability, which is currently provided by decentralized power plants, and feeds green electricity with a stable frequency into the utility grid. This turns power plant owners and operators into key players on the electricity market.

Company

Isabella talks about passion for innovation and communication at eye level

As a product manager at SMA, Isabella Caschetto and her team develop digital services for new business models of large-scale PV and battery storage systems – essential energy sources for the future renewable energy supply. Customers include PV and battery power plant operators as well as grid operators from all over the world. For them, grid stability and the supply reliability of renewable energies are key issues.

Solutions

Inverters for high-current modules:
the great I_DC max misconception

The PV industry is using high-current modules to combat rising system costs. This type of module consists of M10 or larger PV cells, which can accommodate correspondingly high MPP currents (>12 A). Read on to find out what needs to be taken into account in the choice of inverter and what kind of misconceptions can commonly be encountered, as well as the difference between short-circuit current and maximum input current.

Company

Christiane talks about her career at SMA and the importance of new perspectives

Christiane Schumacher spent seven years working in SMA’s marketing team. She then sought fresh challenges and acquired experience in other industries and functional areas. But now she’s back at SMA, heading Business Development & Partner Management. In this interview, she tells us why she came back to us and what she has learned during her career.

Company

Annabell discusses freedom at work and the power of networks

Annabell Thomin’s job is to ensure that each and every SMA employee has the latest software on their PC. As an IT specialist, she is responsible for the internal software store, where employees can find all the programs they need for their everyday work. But Annabell started at the company in logistics.