Quality
100% of SMA inverters are comprehensively tested before leaving the factory to ensure reliable operation for the life of the inverter.
SMA has installed over 90 GW of inverter capacity worldwide. That is enough to close down all of Australia’s power stations, twice over – never needing to rely on fossil fuels again. Over 750,000 SMA inverters have already been installed across Australia alone, producing more than 35% of all solar electricity in the country.
SMA Solar Inverters
The right device for each application: for all solar module types, for grid-connection and off grid applications. For small houses up to commercial solar systems in the Megawatt range.
In the very competitive solar world, it can be a difficult and challenging job to not only differentiate yourself from the competition but also to provide a unique offering. SMA’s PowerUP trusted solar energy partner program is designed to give you this exact edge.
- Gain credibility with access to deeper levels of training materials
- Dedicated Sales, Marketing and Service support
- FREE 55 warranty upgrades
Contact us to find out how to become an SMA PowerUP Partner or you can contact SMA directly via PowerUP@SMA-Australia.com.au
SMA support for solar installers
The SMA 360°app helps solar installers be more successful.
SMA Smart Connected delivers free automatic monitoring and analysis of the inverter via the SMA Sunny Portal. If an inverter picks up a failure, SMA proactively informs the installer. If it is necessary to replace the inverter, SMA sends a replacement device fast and free of charge. In this way, installers benefit from minimised diagnosis and downtime.
SMA Inverters. Core Products
Regardless of country of manufacture, if you want a safe bet, you can’t go wrong with an SMA inverter. The only downside is that you tend to pay a premium for them.
The Sunny Boy (single-phase) and Sunny Tripower (three-phase) product lines form the core of SMA’s home and commercial offerings. SMA also manufacture a battery inverter for off-grid applications called the Sunny Island.
Beyond home and commercial products, the company also produces thumping great central inverters for solar farms.
You can compare specifications and estimated pricing of SMA residential solar products available in Australia with models from a bunch of other brands on the SolarQuotes inverter comparison table.
SMA A Solar Battler
The company has faced its share of challenges over the years from increasing competition and thinning margins (hence its China fling), but appeared to be turning things around as evidenced by its inverter shipments in recent years.
Commissioning an Inverter via the Intuitive Webserver
- 2022: 8,700 MW (January. September).
- 2021: 13,584 MW
- 2020: 14,415 MW
- 2019: 11,409 MW
- 2018: 8,449 MW
- 2017: 8,538 MW
The 2021 result was a little disappointing, attributed in part to a shortage of electronic components that restricted the company’s delivery capacity rather than a lack of orders. And the jury is still out on 2022’s performance; which proved to be another challenging year. although SMA have indicated the second half was better than the first.
Challenges Persisted For SMA In 2022
In the first quarter of 2022, SMA sold 2.8 GW of inverter output, down on Q1 2021’s result of 3.4 GW. But this wasn’t due to a lack of ready buyers.
The company again said it was attributable to the continued tight situation with the supply of electronic chips. and it isn’t the only inverter manufacturer experiencing similar issues. SMA said it had a very high order intake during the quarter (the highest in a decade) and a very high backlog.
Looking past supply chain issues, SMA sees sunnier days ahead and is planning to close-to-double production capacity at its headquarters in Germany from 21 GW currently to almost 40 GW by 2024.
According to the company, more than 750,000 SMA inverters had been installed across Australia by the end of 2020; so they’ve certainly been popular here and remain so. both among Australian households and installers.
Overall, SMA has shipped more than 110 GW of solar inverter capacity globally to date.
SMA SunnyBoy Inverters
The display updates the values of your PV system every 5 seconds.
A) Knocking icon. (This icon will illuminate during reboot after an Arc fault. If it appears, knock on the inverter to clear it.)
B) Graph of system production.
C) Error icons. If illuminated, take a photo of any errors displayed in “H” and contact support@suncommon.com.
D) Current power.
E) Daily energy.
F) Total energy generated since the inverter was installed.
G) Display of enabled functions.
H) Text line for displaying an event or error.
Troubleshooting
If you have Ground/Earth Faults or Isolation Errors, do not attempt to power cycle your device because of electrical hazards. Please contact our Customer Support Team.
Arc Fault Detected/Check DC Generator/AFCI detected Power-cycle the inverter (see instructions below), and watch the inverter screen after rebooting it. You should see a prompt to knock on the inverter to officially clear the error code.
Unstable Operation This typically is caused by snow on panels, when there is not enough input on the DC side. If your panels are clear of snow, get in touch with our Customer Support Team.
Tour the Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS)
Fac-Bfr (Grid Frequency Disturbance) This will happen when the power is out, or if the inverter has disconnected from the power distribution grid. It could also be caused by a tripped breaker or blown fuse. To resolve, first check your breaker (if possible) and then contact our Customer Support Team.
K-1 Open Error requiring replacement. Please contact our Customer Support Team with a photo of the error code to start the warranty process.
How to Power-Cycle your SMA Sunny Boy Inverter:
1) Turn off the DC disconnect. This is a dial (black or white) located on the underside or along the side of the inverter. Simply turn it to the “off” position.
2) Turn off your system’s AC disconnect. This is located outside next to your utility meter. Look for a grey box labeled AC Disconnect with a lever that you’ll pull down into the “off” position. If you do not see a grey box labeled AC disconnect, look for a breaker underneath your Net Meter (ConnectDER). You will need to turn the breaker off. To do this, unscrew the grey cover to access the breaker. See reference photos.
3) Wait 5 minutes and then turn them back on in reverse order. Throw the AC lever or breaker back to the “on” position and turn the dial on the inverter back to the “on” position.
4) If you are resetting an “Arc Detect” code. Watch the inverter screen after rebooting it for the Knocking icon to illuminate and knock on the inverter to clear the code.
After these steps, the inverter will start to turn back on and may take a minute or two to reboot. You should see the main screen as normal once the reboot is complete with no error message. If the issue persists, please contact support@suncommon.com.
Price: Which Brand Offers the Better Value?
Neither SolarEdge nor SMA will be the least expensive option when it comes to an inverter. However, high failure rates and illusive warranties typically make the cheapest options unappealing.
While these two brands won’t be the cheapest, they both provide great value backed by quality craftsmanship and extensive warranties.
Specific pricing will vary from model to model and size to size. However, in general, SolarEdge will likely be more expensive than SMA in terms of the price tag. The addition of power optimizers means more equipment and more labor to install them.
That said, power optimizers can help improve the efficiency of your system, which could mean more free electricity is produced.
Warranty: Which Lasts Longer?
Having dependable, well-made equipment is a big part of a solar system’s payback and ROI. If you end up with equipment that needs to be replaced, you’ll be using the money your solar system is saving you. Manufacturer warranties help ensure this won’t happen.
SolarEdge string inverters will be covered with a 12-year warranty. Depending on the model you choose, you’ll also be able to purchase an additional eight- or 13-year extended warranty. That brings the total warranty to 20 or 25 years. The power optimizers are backed by a 25-year warranty.
The terms of an SMA inverter’s warranty depend on whether you’re installing a residential or commercial solar system.
Commercial SMA string inverters come with a standard 10-year warranty with the option to add a five- or 10-year extended warranty. This brings the total warranty to 15 or 20 years. Inverters installed for home solar come with a 15-year warranty at no additional cost, with the option to add up to 5 additional years.
Another important factor to consider when comparing warranties is the business’s long-term outlook. However, these warranties are only worth something if the manufacturer is still in business.
Both SolarEdge and SMA have a solid long-term financial outlook and product roadmap. Obviously, there are no guarantees but both should be around for many years to honor those warranties.
Monitoring: Which Brand Offers Better Insight?
Both SolarEdge and SMA inverters come with remote system monitoring, replacing the typical display panels inverters have had in the past. Many of the leading inverter brands have shifted away from digital displays as extremely cold temperatures cause display issues.
Instead, these inverters have remote monitoring systems that are reliant on a Wi-Fi or internet connection. These can be accessed via an online portal on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
When it comes to the monitoring of SolarEdge and SMA inverters, there are some differences.
Because SolarEdge offers panel-level optimization through power optimizers, you can monitor the power output from each individual panel, as well as the system as a whole. This gives you greater insight into how your solar system is working. It also makes it easier to locate issues should something go wrong.
SMA, on the other hand, offers solar monitoring on a broader scale through their Sunny Portal. You can see how much solar power your system produces each day. However, you won’t be able to tell how much each individual panel is producing.
That said, SMA still makes it easy to detect potential issues, even without panel-level monitoring. Their SMA Smart Connected program works to continuously monitor the string inverters for any issues. If a problem is detected, the installer and system operator will be notified. If needed, a replacement part will automatically ship to the customer.
Which Solar Inverter Brand is Better for Your System?
When it comes down to it, both SolarEdge and SMA offer high-quality grid-tied inverters. Both brands have inverters that will suit a wide variety of solar projects.
SolarEdge’s string inverter and power optimizer combination offer panel-level optimization and monitoring. They can be great for partially shaded areas, increasing the system’s overall efficiency. However, SMA’s string inverter setup is typically the more affordable option. And with fewer components, it should be simpler and easier to service should the need arise.
It all comes down to the sunshine available on your property and your specific goals for your project.
At Paradise Energy Solutions, we help businesses, farmers, and homeowners across the mid-Atlantic region save money with solar. Reach out to our team of solar experts if you’re unsure of which solar inverter is best for you or you want to compare your options.
If you’re not ready to speak with one of our solar experts, download our solar buying guide or sign up for our Solar Made Easy video series.