SMA Solar Technology sold inverters with a cumulative output of 14.4 GW in 2020. Inverter output sold was 26% above the previous year’s level (2019: 11.4 GW). In total, SMA thus has more than 100 GW of installed inverter capacity.
According to preliminary calculations by the SMA Managing Board, sales increased to around €1,027 million (2019: €915.1 million) and was thus within the Managing Board’s guidance of between €1,000 million and €1,100 million issued at the start of 2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
SMA expects strong further growth in 2021
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of expected about €72 million (2019: €34.2 million) were also in line with the Managing Board’s guidance of between €50 million and €80 million. Depreciation and amortization are expected to be approximately €44 million. For the 2021 fiscal year, the SMA Managing Board expects sales to increase to between €1,075 million and €1,175 million and EBITDA to rise to between €75 million and €95 million.
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“Despite the considerable challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, we achieved the sales and earnings growth forecast at the start of the year in 2020,” said SMA Chief Executive Officer Jürgen Reinert. “Thanks to our exceptionally dedicated employees and well established IT infrastructure, we were able to switch seamlessly to working from home. We rapidly implemented effective precautions against the spread of infection within the company and worked closely with suppliers and customers“.
More than 100 GW SMA inverters installed worldwide
„We therefore did not have to interrupt production for a single day, and neither did we have to claim any state aid. We sold almost 15 GW of inverter output for the first time in 2020. That corresponds to the power as of 12 nuclear power plants. In total, more than 100 GW of SMA inverter output has now been installed worldwide. They contribute to a sustainable and cost-effective energy supply on all continents. In 2021, we will build on this success, benefit from the expected positive market development and further increase sales and earnings“, Reinert said.
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For 2021, the SMA Managing Board anticipates that sales will grow to between €1,075 million and €1,175 million. Key stimuli behind this will include the expected continuing growth of the PV market in Europe and America as well as the global storage market. SMA is well positioned to benefit from these developments and consolidate its market position.
Creating a system landscape for decentralized energy supply
In addition, the Managing Board is driving the ongoing development of its product range toward creating a system landscape for decentralized energy supply as part of the SMA Strategy 2025. The Managing Board is convinced that lower production costs and the leveraging of economies of scale accompanied by price declines leveling off will bolster SMA’s profitability, which will also be supported by the portfolio streamlining that has already begun, focusing on higher-margin products and systems. Against this background, the SMA Managing Board anticipates growth in EBITDA to between €75 million and €95 million for 2021.
At the recent Capital Markets Day, the SMA Managing Board presented the development of the markets and the company’s positioning and strategy in its core business and in key fields of the future. The presentation containing additional information can be found here. (hcn)
