SMA Canada production underway at Ontario manufacturing facility

TORONTO, CANADA: Production of the SMA Sunny Boy and Sunny Central solar inverters is underway in Ontario. These residential, commercial and utility-scale devices are being assembled by Celestica, a global leader in the delivery of end-to-end product lifecycle solutions, to meet Ontario’s microFiT and FiT domestic content requirements.

Celestica will initially produce the SMA Sunny Boy 3000-US, 4000-US, 5000-US, 6000-US, 7000-US and 8000-US inverters, as well as the Sunny Central 500HE model. Celestica’s operations will follow a flexible concept, with the ability to quickly adjust production to meet the needs of Ontario’s fast-growing solar market.

To comply with the area’s domestic content requirement, Celestica will assemble all of SMA’s products at its Toronto operation.

“SMA chose to work with Celestica at its Canadian operations based on its reputation for highest-quality manufacturing and ability to rapidly scale-up with growing demand,” said Scott Crabtree, managing director of SMA Canada. ”We are very pleased to be working with such a capable group and look forward to a successful collaboration.”

Crabtree, who leads SMA’s US-based assembly in Denver, will also oversee the company’s Canadian efforts.

SMA’s 3,000- to 8,000-watt Sunny Boy models, which are ULC (Underwriters Laboratories Canada) Certified, are part of the world’s most popular line of solar inverters. Not only does the Sunny Boy line feature class-leading efficiency and reliability, but the longevity of these inverters is enhanced via SMA’s patented OptiCool active temperature-management system and rugged cast-aluminum, outdoor-rated enclosure. They include a 10-year factory warranty, with the ability to extend up to 20 years.

The utility-scale Sunny Central 500HE (high efficiency) features a maximum output of 550 kVA and integrated grid-management features. By connecting to an external medium-voltage transformer to accommodate long distance power feeds to distribution substations, the Sunny Central 500HE is ideal for utility installations. Its industry-leading maximum efficiency of 98.6 percent results in an outstanding energy yield. The Sunny Central 500HE is available with a 99 percent uptime guarantee.

“Ontario has taken an admirable leadership role in promoting renewable energy,” said Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America and president of SMA Canada. “SMA is pleased to support the Ontario Green Energy Act by bringing local production to Ontario.”