Revitalize Aging Solar Systems: Unlock New Opportunities with SMA Repowering

Across the U.S., residential PV systems are reaching significant birthday milestones—10, 15, 20 and even 25 years in operation. Installers are looking for ways to generate new revenue while keeping customers happy. The field is full of aging solar PV systems with nuisance issues, equipment faults and outright failures.

Enter repowering!

A system checkup, new inverter, energy meter and simple backup can restore performance and customer satisfaction—while opening new business opportunities for sales teams. It’s time to revitalize aging solar systems and unlock new opportunities with SMA Repowering. Repowering with SMA America will help strengthen customer relationships, reduce service calls and drive long-term profitability.  

The Growing Market for Repowering 

PV systems create energy daily from a free and abundant fuel source—the sun! However, major components like solar modules and inverters undergo thermal cycling, exposure to harsh environmental conditions and normal wear and tear. Over time, these variables will degrade the system’s overall performance and efficiency.  

A Bern University of Applied Sciences survey found that as PV systems hit their 15th year and beyond, about 30% of residential inverters will experience their first failures. With a growing number of aging PV systems in the market, it’s more important than ever to be ready with solutions when homeowners seek assistance.   

Since 2020, worldwide demand for replacement inverters has surged to 40% and this growth trajectory is expected to continue over the next five years as systems continue to age. This presents a major opportunity to offer repowering services—not just as a one-time fix but as an ongoing business strategy.  

Why Repower with SMA? 

Businesses that have been around for more than a decade have likely encountered legacy inverter brands and understand the importance of high-quality components and trusted partners. An estimated 45% of solar inverters are abandoned just four years after installation due to manufacturers and installers going out of business. While this may seem concerning given the sheer volume of affected inverters, SMA America offers a reliable solution.  

Choosing an SMA inverter means peace of mind comes standard. With over 40 years of industry experience, SMA has shaped the renewable industry through innovation, reliability and long-term support. Unlike manufacturers that have disappeared from the market, SMA remains a stable partner, providing both immediate repair solutions and long-term system sustainability.  

A Solution Before You Need It: SMA Smart Connected  

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has noted that aging systems and extreme weather conditions can significantly impact the performance of PV systems, leading to reduced energy output and increased maintenance costs. To proactively ensure PV systems are operating at peak efficiency, SMA inverters are equipped with a premium, free monitoring service: SMA Smart Connected. 

SMA Smart Connected is a fully automated fault-monitoring service designed exclusively for SMA residential and commercial systems. By proactively identifying and diagnosing issues, this service helps ensure that customers’ systems continue to operate efficiently, reliably and minimizes downtime. 

Upgrade with the Sunny Boy Smart Energy  

Upgrading a residential PV system with the Sunny Boy Smart Energy (SBSE) offers several key benefits that enhances the performance and reliability of a PV system fleet: 

• Improved Efficiency: The SBSE is designed with advanced technology that maximizes energy – you’ll get ultra-wide DC voltage operating windows, SMA ShadeFix, up to 4 MPPTs, thermal efficiency and flexible designs up to 200% DC to AC ratio.  

• Enhanced Reliability: SMA inverters are designed for a 20+ year life, built in Germany with top-quality components, can withstand harsh environmental conditions and have a proven track record of reliability. This reduces customer downtime and service calls. 

• Ease of Integration: The SBSE is designed to easily integrate into existing PV systems, making the upgrade process seamless. Often professionals can remove the old inverter, and swap in the SBSE in a few simple steps with the assistance of SMA 360° app for smooth commissioning.  

• Advanced Monitoring and Control: Included with the SBSE is the proactive, premium monitoring feature, SMA Smart Connected. This tracks system performance in real-time, ensuring issues are quickly identified and addressed. 

• Awesome add-on options: Installers can offer upgrades while repowering systems, including the SMA Energy Meter, which enhances home energy monitoring through the SMA Energy app. Provide peace of mind during power outages by installing a simple SMA Backup Secure electric outlet—an exclusive SMA partial backup solution for the last 10 years.  

Ready to Repower with SMA? 

As PV systems continue to age, the demand for repowering will only increase. Being proactive about inverter upgrades not only improves customer satisfaction but also creates a recurring revenue stream. Partner with SMA America to drive long term success.   

Interested in repowering a project with SMA? Complete the SMA Repowering questionnaire found on the Repowering – Home website and the team will provide tailored recommendations for the project.