Teacher becomes the Student…and then the Teacher Again at SEI Hands-On Lab

While you typically find Greg Smith, senior technical trainer for the SMA Solar Academy, behind the podium or in the field teaching others about photovoltaic systems and their many components, he also enjoys furthering his professional development by attending trainings himself. “Sometimes the trainer needs training,” explained Smith. “There is always something to learn from people in this industry.” 

Sunny Boy TL-US with Secure Power Supply

But at a recent Solar Energy International (SEI) Hands-On Lab training, Smith got to be both the student and the teacher. During the session, the group toured four demonstration arrays, one of which featured a steep slope roof and a brand new SMA Sunny Boy 5000TL-US transformerless inverter. Even though the class was very interested in the myriad groundbreaking features of the shiny red inverter, the highlight of the demonstration was when Smith taught them about its unique Secure Power Supply.

The Secure Power Supply makes it possible for the inverter to provide up to 1,500 W of daytime standby power in the event of a grid outage for charging laptops, cell phones and more, without the need of additional, costly batteries. When Smith turned on the Secure Power Supply at the demonstration array, it marked the first time at SEI that an inverter was generating power without being connected to the grid or a battery bank, garnering a rousing round of applause from teachers and students alike.

To learn more about SMA’s Sunny Boy TL-US line of transformerless residential inverters, visit the SMA America website and click Grid-Tied Inverters. Or, click here to view a video about the Secure Power Supply.