Press Release from SMA Solar Technology AG SMA drives development of photovoltaics with research projects and studies Niestetal, January 8, 2021 – The energy supply is becoming increasingly local, digital, and interconnected worldwide. Cost-effective and sustainable power generation using photovoltaics has now become established as a mainstay of the system. To drive this development with innovations and generate a high level of customer benefit, SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) collaborates internationally with research institutes and industrial partners from other relevant fields. The results of the joint research projects and studies accelerate the integration and interconnection of photovoltaic systems, make them even more user-friendly, and contribute to further cost reductions. “As we approach the fully decentralized and digital energy supply of the future, the complexity of the system is increasing enormously,” said SMA CEO Jürgen Reinert. “No market participant can handle this complexity alone. The key to a rapid and cost-effective reorganization of the world’s energy supply is therefore technological innovation developed collectively by experts from different fields. SMA is therefore not only investing in its own research and development, but is also initiating and participating in research projects and studies with diverse other players from science and industry. The research findings are helping us make a crucial contribution to the future of a sustainable, cost-effective and secure energy supply based on renewable energy sources and offer our customers the most appropriate and efficient solutions.” Focus on reliable, grid-supporting solutions with a high level of customer benefit In the last two years alone, SMA participated in around 25 research projects and studies. The focus was on the development of grid-supporting, efficient, reliable, and sustainably cost-effective solutions. The topics range from a research project with the University of Kassel, HAW Hamburg and selected industrial partners on the use of artificial intelligence for more efficient and reliable photovoltaic and storage systems to a study by the University of Southern Denmark, which shows that, in most applications, PV systems with modern string inverters with integrated shade management can achieve higher yields and at lower cost than PV systems with conventional module optimizers. Further projects are already being planned. For example, February 1 will see the start of a joint research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with Enercon, Fraunhofer IEE and other industry and research partners on the combination of photovoltaics and wind in large stand-alone utility grids with 100  percent renewable energy. “SMA will keep pursuing this path and has therefore geared the corporate strategy toward customer focus and cooperation with partners,” said Jürgen Reinert. About SMA As a leading global specialist in photovoltaic system technology, the SMA Group is setting the standards today for the decentralized and renewable energy supply of tomorrow. SMA’s portfolio contains a wide range of efficient PV inverters, holistic system solutions for PV systems of all power classes, intelligent energy management systems and battery-storage solutions as well as complete solutions for PV diesel hybrid applications. Digital energy services as well as extensive services up to and including operation and maintenance services for PV power plants round off SMA’s range. SMA inverters with a total output of around 95 gigawatts have been installed in more than 190 countries worldwide. SMA’s multi-award-winning technology is protected by more than 1,600 patents and utility models. 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 is listed in the SDAX index. 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 Presse@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. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release can contain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements are statements which do not describe facts of the past. They also include statements about our assumptions and expectations. These statements are based on plans, estimations and forecasts which the Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA or company) has available at this time. Future-oriented statements are therefore only valid on the day on which they are made. Future-oriented statements by nature contain risks and elements of uncertainty. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors can lead to considerable differences between the actual results, the financial position, the development or the performance of the corporation and the estimates given here. These factors include those which SMA has discussed in published reports. These reports are available on the SMA website at www.SMA.de. The company accepts no obligation whatsoever to update these future-oriented statements or to adjust them to future events or developments.