SMA Solar Technology AG – Press Release Off-Grid PV system brings power to 2,500 households and commercial properties in Afghanistan Niestetal/Bamyan, January 31, 2014 – One of the world’s biggest off-grid PV system has gone into operation in Afghanistan. The 1MW solar project brings reliable and sustainable energy to 2,500 homes, businesses and government buildings in the Bamyan province. SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) delivered 118 Sunny Island inverters to control the off-grid system and 55 Sunny Tripower inverters to convert the direct current produced by the photovoltaic panels into the alternating current necessary for electrical appliances. The Bamyan province in Central Afghanistan is famous for its giant Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. So far, people in this area either relied on small diesel generators or domestic solar panels for their electricity supply or they had no access to electricity at all. The Bamyan Renewable Energy Programme brings an electrical system to the communities that provides homes, businesses and government buildings with cost-efficient electricity 24 hours a day. The PV generator of the system is supplemented with a diesel generator and batteries for periods of poor weather. SMA delivered 118 Sunny Island inverters, 55 Sunny Tripower inverters, 4 Multicluster boxes and 79 Sunny Island Chargers to Afghanistan. The system was funded by the New Zealand Government and planned and constructed by a consortium of two New Zealand companies: Sustainable Energy Services International (SESI) and NETcon International Limited. ”The project is not just about solar panels, wires and poles – but also about health, education, economic growth and laying down a foundation for future development to build on”, says Tony Woods of SESI. ”To effectively improve the lives of the people in the war stricken country of Afghanistan, it is extremely important to bring a reliable energy supply not only to homes, but also to businesses, hospitals, schools and government buildings. Photovoltaics is the quickest, most sustainable and cost-effective energy source to achieve this even under harshest conditions“, explains Volker Wachenfeld, Senior Vice President Hybrid & Storage at SMA. About SMA The SMA Group generated sales of €1.5 billion in 2012 and is the global market leader for solar inverters, a key component of all PV plants and, as an energy management group, offers innovative key technologies for future power supply structures. It is headquartered in Niestetal, near Kassel, Germany, and is represented internationally in 21 countries. The Group employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. SMA’s broad product portfolio includes a compatible inverter for every type of module on the market and for all plant sizes. The product range includes both inverters for photovoltaic plants connected to the grid as well as inverters for off-grid systems. SMA is therefore able to provide ideal technical inverter solutions for all plant sizes and types. Since 2008, the Group’s parent company, SMA Solar Technology AG, has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (S92) and also in the TecDAX index. In recent years, SMA has received numerous awards for excellence as an employer and achieved first place in the nationwide “Great Place to Work®” competition in 2011 and 2012 and fourth place in 2013. SMA Australia Press Contact: Lucy Clayton PR & Communications Tel.: +61 2 9491 4228 SMA Solar Technology AG Sonnenallee 1 34266 Niestetal Germany Head of Corporate Communications: Anja Jasper Tel.: +49 561 9522-2805 Presse@SMA.de Press contact: Susanne Henkel Manager Corporate Press Tel.: +49 561 9522-1124 Fax +49 561 9522-421400 Presse@SMA.de Investor Relations contact: Julia Damm Manager Investor Relations Tel. +49 561 9522-2222 Fax +49 561 9522-2223 IR@SMA.de 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. 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