Major PV inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology has secured supply deals for more than 20 different utility scale PV projects in Australia in 2017, totalling around 1.2GW and included for several large-scale PV projects funded by the Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The significant orders are in contrast to SMA Solar’s recent woes, which that would impact the company through at least the first half of 2018, not least semiconductor component shortages and the lack of demand from the utility-scale market in the US, due to pending new anti-dumping duties on solar modules, delaying projects until the US President decides on action.   

The new supply deals struck by SMA Australia were said to range in project size from 10MW all the way up to 270MW and would use SMA Solar’s Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS) and the SMA Power Plant Controller. The MVPS combines PV inverter, transformer and medium voltage switchgear in a container.

“Thanks to improved economic factors and pervasive market interest 2017 represents a ground breaking year for solar farm development in Australia,”, said John Susa, Executive Vice President of SMA Sales North America/APAC. “We are extremely proud to announce that our Medium Voltage Power Station and the SMA Power Plant Controller have been selected for several large scale PV projects funded by the Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in Australia this year. This success has been achieved by working closely with different developers and EPCs. In addition, we were successful in securing contracts for delivering our MVPS for another nine utility-scale PV projects. We feel honoured to become part of the booming utility market in Australia with our best-in-class turnkey container solution MVPS and we expect an even better performing 2018 in front of us.”