Strategic Alliance for U.S. Solar Boom: SMA and Create Energy Launch Local Inverter Production for Utility-Scale PV Systems

Kassel/Niestetal (Germany) / Rocklin (USA) – While U.S. President Trump continues to tirelessly promote fossil fuels, the U.S. market in 2025 is firmly focused on renewable energy. In this environment, SMA Solar Technology AG and U.S.-based company Create Energy have launched a collaboration for local production of inverters for utility-scale photovoltaic systems in the United States.

Production of the Sunny Highpower PEAK3 and Power Skid systems is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026 at Create Energy’s facility in Tennessee. The close cooperation aims to strengthen competitiveness in the dynamic U.S. market and to provide scalable solutions for the rapid expansion of large-scale PV projects. The partnership is expected to help SMA benefit from reduced import tariffs and incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act by manufacturing locally.

Local Manufacturing as a Competitive Advantage in the U.S. Market

During RE+, North America’s largest renewable energy event, SMA and Create Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership. Under the agreement, final assembly of the inverters and Power Skid systems will take place at Create Energy’s plant in Portland, Tennessee. The production of electronic circuit boards (PCBA) will remain at SMA’s site in Kassel/Niestetal, Germany.

By relocating production to the U.S., SMA aims to take advantage of reduced import duties and tax benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act, recently revised and referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” At the same time, the move improves supply chain security and shortens delivery times for U.S. customers.

Jay Arghestani, managing director of large-scale sales, technology and marketing for SMA America, commented: “This collaboration underscores SMA’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market. We are proud to join forces with a company that shares our vision for a sustainable energy future and understands the importance of smart, scalable solutions for the U.S. market..”

Dean Solon, CEO of Create Energy, added: “This collaboration will advance renewable energy and deliver American-built inverters and skids. Partnering with SMA brings together complementary strengths, and together we are prepared to drive change in the energy sector.”

High-Performance Inverter Solutions for Utility-Scale Projects

The core products of the collaboration are the Sunny Highpower PEAK3 – a string inverter offering high scalability for large-scale projects – and the fully integrated Power Skid solution, designed as a turnkey system with a maximum capacity of over 2 MW.

These solutions are tailored specifically to the needs of large photovoltaic installations and aim to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy in North America. SMA seeks to defend its market position in the U.S. through this partnership while increasing the total volume of pre-assembled components sourced from its European production. In return, U.S. customers will benefit from shorter lead times and improved service and support.

SMA Stock Fails to Benefit

SMA Solar Technology AG, a global leader in solar and storage inverter technology, is listed in the renewable energy stock index RENIXX World. SMA’s portfolio includes efficient inverters, system solutions, energy management, and charging infrastructure. With approximately 144 GW of inverters installed worldwide, SMA helps avoid over 64 million tons of CO? emissions annually.

However, the SMA Solar share has not benefited from the news. In the current week, the stock fell by 2% to €18.39 over the first three trading days (closing price on September 10, 2025, Stuttgart Stock Exchange).

Source: IWR Online, 11 Sep 2025