The inverter manufacturer SMA is planning to build a new factory. This will be built in the US and is expected to go into operation in 2025. It is not yet entirely clear where the new factory will be located. The final decision will not be made until the first half of 2024. However, SMA is currently in talks with several states and potential partners to find the most strategically cost-effective production location and the right approach.
See also: More than 20 gigawatts of inverters installed in North America
Increasing market share in the US
The new production facility will initially have a capacity of 3.5 gigawatts per year. This will then be expanded over time. "The US is a key market for SMA, and the Inflation Reduction Act - IRA - offers an extraordinary opportunity for long-term growth," said Jürgen Reinert, CEO of SMA, explaining the two key reasons for the decision to embark on the next production expansion in the US. "With this step, we will significantly strengthen our market share in the US and set the course for SMA's future growth."
Local production as a location factor
SMA is also responding to the increased demand for solar systems and energy efficiency solutions - also in the US. In order to better cover this market, local production is the right step. "The potential for our market is enormous, and local production is a strategic component of our growth strategy," emphasises Jeppe Johansen, Managing Director of SMA America.
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Parallel expansion at two locations
The expansion of production in the US runs parallel to the construction of SMA's gigawatt factory in Germany. This will double the company's production capacity in Germany to 40 gigawatts per year. From 2025, solutions for large-scale solar power plants and storage units for worldwide use will be manufactured in Niestetal. (su/mfo)
