Solar is the future.

SMA Solar Technology AG

to build the beSt inverterS for tomorrow,

Our numerous awards are proof that our employees like work-ing at SMA. In February 2011, we won first prize in Germany's ‶Great Place to Work″ competition in the category for large com-panies. One deciding factor were the results of an anonymous questionnaire filled out by our employees. We are very proud of this distinction, but we refuse to rest on past achievements. We will continue to develop our corporate culture together, ensuring all employees maintain a sense of pride and ownership in the company, so that even during periods of rapid growth and de-velopment, we uphold our tradition of trust, openness, reliability and collegiality.

Just how we nurture and sustain this culture is explained in this brochure. It will give you an overview of our company, of what we do and what we value. It will also give you an idea of our unique work environment. Allow yourself to be inspired by the success stories of our employees. See for yourself that at SMA the possibilities are endless!

Welcome to SMA Solar Technology AG!

Jürgen DolleChief Human Resources Officer

we need people with ideaS and foreSight today.

What qualities are most important to you in a job? Continuing education opportunities, upward mobility and fair compensation? The freedom to act independently? A collaborative and supportive work environment? SMA provides all of these. Our corporate culture encourages innovative ideas and approaches. We meet challenges head-on with confidence and enthusiasm. We would like you to be part of our success with your mind, your passion – and our rewards.

Our philosophy has paid off. In the 30 years we have been in busi-ness, we have grown from a solar pioneer to a PV inverter global market leader. We could not have accomplished this without the help of our employees – today they number more than 5,000. Their enthusiasm and expertise has made us what we are today. Like the company itself, our employees are driven to develop their skills, take on responsibilities and contribute new ideas. This requires strength, flexibility and the courage to take risks. These are the qualities that will sustain us as we continue to expand our technology leadership. We are growing, and that is why we need people like you, your visions, your ideas, your inspiration and your experience. Together we can shape a successful future.

Foreword by the Managing Board

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It was the year 1981. Power generation with photovoltaics (PV) was still in its infancy, and electricity was produced almost exclu-sively in large central power stations, from coal, oil and uranium. This is when three University of Kassel graduates together with their professor laid the foundation for SMA Solar Technology AG. Günther Cramer, Peter Drews, Reiner Wettlaufer and Dr. Werner Kleinkauf recognized a trend toward generating power locally with renewable energy sources.

EnviSioninG A nEw wAy To GEnErATE powEr The four engineers began to develop a computer-based control system for PV plants and wind turbine systems. The idea was to generate power locally with renewable energy sources, with wind and photovoltaics at the center. But they had no idea just how quickly their vision would take off and lead the way into the 21st century.

looking into the future,

FroM pionEEr To TrEndSETTEr

Today, SMA is the world's largest manufacturer of PV inverters, the central component of every PV plant. We have a presence in all key solar markets with our international subsidiaries. With the world's largest CO2-neutral PV inverter factory, we are able to maximize our cutting-edge inverter production with increased versatility and efficiency, thereby allowing us to serve our custom-ers better and faster.

Five Managing Board members, Jürgen Dolle, Roland Grebe, Uwe Hertel, Pierre-Pascal Urbon and Marko Werner, run the company today. Since June 27, 2008, SMA has been listed in the Prime Standard (S92) on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In September 2008, SMA shares were accepted on the TecDAX.

Every day at SMA, more than 5,000 employees work to make power generation with photovoltaics even simpler and more af-fordable. Despite our remarkable growth and development we have not forgotten our roots. We have transformed ourselves from a small office in Kassel, Germany into one of the world's most suc-cessful solar industry companies and we will continue to develop our global presence and leading position in the industry.

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we remember our roots.

‶Many environmental catastrophes in the twentieth cen-tury were brought on by humans, resulted in great dam-ages, and engendered a widespread mistrust in technol-ogy. In response, I decided to dedicate my efforts to the appropriate and responsible use of technology.

As an electrical engineer, being involved in the devel-opment of an environmentally friendly energy supply has always fascinated me. So it was only natural that I considered SMA as a good opportunity to work in the field of renewable energy. In 1990, only a few other companies were active in this industry. The thing that made SMA stand out was its professional approach. Unlike other large companies that have since appeared on the scene, SMA continues to provide maximum job flexibility.

To excel in my profession, I need a good work environ-ment. At SMA, the health and happiness of people always come first. In 1998, for example, we became the largest regional consumer of fair trade coffee. Our motto is, ‵Do good things, tell people about it, and feel good in the process.″

Joachim Laschinski, Senior Expert Engineer Strategic product Management, with SMA since 1990

History and Conception

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FrEEdoM And rESponSibiLiTy

You have been Marketing Director at SMA France since fall of 2008. What made you decide to work for SMA?

‶Technologically advanced, entrepreneurial, international, and a 'Great Place to Work' – these are the qualities that attracted me to SMA. They are also the qualities that con-tinue to impress me about SMA. It is inspiring to work at a company that is at the forefront of green energy. It makes me feel good to know that I am helping promote sustainable forms of energy.″

What do you like the most about SMA?

‶At SMA, we are encouraged to initiate projects, act inde-pendently, and approach challenges in unique, bold and new ways. SMA is a global market leader in technology, but it's more than that. It is also a forerunner in Production, Marketing, and Human Resources Management.″

What do you like the most about your role as Marketing Director?

‶I definitely benefit from the 'think global, act local' philoso-phy. I can always depend on the expertise of my marketing colleagues at corporate headquarters. At the same time, I have the autonomy and authority here in France to do what I think is best for the French market. This has been a remark-able experience.

We are becoming a truly international corporation. When I'm sitting in my office in France, I feel as if my German col-leagues are sitting in the office right next to me. Of course our views differ sometimes and we debate important de-cisions, but because our corporate culture is marked by open-mindedness, we always find the best solution together. It is exciting to work for a company that is growing and advancing so quickly.″

david Lawson, Marketing director SMA France, with SMA since 2008

Internationality

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The sun shines everywhere, meaning solar power can be pro-duced anywhere in the world. Yet in most countries solar power is still more expensive than conventional power. Not for long. Module and system technology prices are falling, making pow-er generation with photovoltaics increasingly more affordable. Many countries are now also offering effective funding measures and programs.

prESEnT in ALL MAJor pv MArkETS

New markets develop where there is demand. SMA establish-es sales and service offices wherever new solar markets arise.Including our headquarters in Germany, we currently have 17 subsidiaries on four continents: Italy, Spain, France, Greece, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Korea, Denver (USA), Rocklin (USA),

the sun ShineS all around the world,

Australia, China, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, India, Great Britain and Canada. Our international colleagues are experts and know their respective markets inside out, responding quickly to market demands. Why is this so important to us? Because it is important to serve our customers.

Think GLobAL – AcT LocAL

We are not focusing merely on established solar markets. We are closely following the global market in search of new profitable op-portunities. As soon as we see potential market growth, regardless of where in the world, we open new sales and service subsidiaries. In this way, we contribute to increasing the importance of photo-voltaics as a sustainable form of power generation around the world. While we are also making sure SMA remains number one.

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and that'S why we are going global.

Internationality

SMA Solar Technology AG has sales and service companies in all the major solar markets around the world. 9

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SMA – A FounTAin oF idEAS

‶It all starts with an idea. Unfortunately, we never know how or when these ideas will arise and in my experience, I know that at best no more than one out of ten ideas can actually ever be realized. Fortunately, good ideas are very highly valued at SMA. Everyone is encouraged to contribute and nothing goes unacknowledged.

Andreas Falk, Senior Expert Engineer,Advance development central inverters,

with SMA since 1988

We do more than generate ideas. We, of course, have our daily work to do and that comes with every job. However, in this extremely innovation-friendly environment SMA encour-ages exploring unchartered territory. For example, I have been involved in numerous new developments, some of them extremely ambitious. Several ideas have been patent-ed. So if you want to work at a company where your great ideas can become reality, then SMA is the place for you.″

Products

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SMA is convinced that renewable energy sources, specifically photovoltaics, are the future of the global energy supply. Fossil fu-els like oil and coal are finite and therefore becoming more expen-sive. Moreover, they are largely responsible for the greenhouse effect and climate change. This is one of the many reasons renew-able energy is the most sound, viable and popular alternative.

phoTovoLTAicS – EnErGy wiTh GrEAT poTEnTiAL

We believe photovoltaics promise the greatest potential for global growth. Why? The sun's energy reserves are unlimited. Solar ir-radiation exceeds the primary energy requirements by more than 10,000 times. In addition, PV plants are simple to install. They sup-ply electricity to the power distribution grid locally, work emission-and noise-free, and deliver PV power during the day when the demand is at its greatest.

SMA invErTErS – ThE hEArT oF EvEry pv pLAnT

SMA PV inverters are vital in every PV plant. PV modules produce direct current and our inverters convert this into alternating cur-rent for the grid. SMA products are a powerful compilation of 30 years of experience in solar technology.

the future iS photovoltaics,

ThE pErFEcT SoLuTion For EvEry circuMSTAncE

Every PV plant is different and we have the perfect solution for each module type. Our Sunny Boy product range is suitable for single-family home PV plants, the Sunny Mini Central for average sized PV plants, the Sunny Central family for PV power stations, and the Sunny Island family for stand-alone systems in locations isolated from a power distribution grid. Furthermore, our backup inverter provides a home with power during a power outage. Our products are setting the standards in technology and efficiency for the entire solar industry.

A bESTSELLEr: ThE Sunny boy

The Sunny Boy inverter was designed for use in small- and medium-sized PV plants. Sunny Boy inverters are more efficient, user-friendly and longer lasting than any other device on the market, and they look good too. SMA was the only inverter manufacturer awarded with the ‶iF Design Award 2008,″ which was granted for the design of the Sunny Boy 5000TL. Technologically leading SMA products such as the Sunny Boy guarantee our growth.

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and we are enSuring sunny prospects for our children.

Products

From kilowatt to megawatt:SMA has the right inverter for every PV plant and power class. 13

Innovative products that benefit customers around the globe are what drive us. Every day we try to do a little bit better. We set our goals high and are always one step ahead of the rest. This is true for our products, our quality and our service. These standards also hold true for our organization and production processes, and of course apply to us.

driven by innovation ,

bETTEr – FASTEr – MorE FLExibLE – uniquE

We have continuously expanded our position as the solar market leader. How? We are simply faster. More than 600 developers ensure that SMA has up to six product innovations to introduce to the market every year. We are flexible. We have the ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. Thanks to our new inverter factory, we are manufacturing products more efficiently than ever. Furthermore, we are better because we are unique. We communicate directly and openly across hierarchies and bound-aries. This way, agreement is reached quickly and decisions are made collectively.

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we have been leading the induStry for yearS.

SMA Growth

The world's largest CO2-neutral PV inverter factory 15

ThE Sky'S ThE LiMiT

How can you tell that SMA is growing rapidly?

‶As the global market leader in our industry, we work eve-ry day to deliver top-quality products to our customers. As order volumes increase, so does our scope and areas of responsibility – that's noticeable. However you can really see that we are growing quickly by the steady number of new production employees hired to support us. As a result, we have to be enormously flexible to adjust to changes as quickly as possible and that isn't always easy for us to do.″

What do you like best about working with your colleagues?

‶I started with SMA as a temporary employee in February 2008. SMA took me on full-time in October and I then beca-me a team leader. Right off the bat, I noticed how everyone sticks together here. People simply get along. We all enjoy an informal atmosphere and everyone becomes part of the team quickly.″

What has changed since you started producing inverters in the world's largest CO2-neutral factory?

‶We need clear standards for production on this scale. Working in small groups, the way we did before we moved into the new facility, was somewhat different. Now it's more important than ever to be well-organized, and it's working out extremely well. Working in the new factory is great. It's modern and very comfortable. But I don’t think it will take very long before we outgrow this facility, too. As the saying goes: The sky's the limit.″

Michael Samtleben, Manager, AssemblySolar inverter production, with SMA since 2008

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SMA Growth

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SMA employs a diverse group of people. Optimists with the cour-age to take risks. Realists who attempt the impossible. And vi-sionaries who still manage to keep their feet on the ground. Their personalities are as varied as their needs for customized careers. Whether specialist, generalist, doer, driver or strategist, you will thrive with us. At SMA, many paths lead to bright and shining careers.

cArEEr pAThS AT SMA

According to the area of expertise, skills and personal interests, SMA employees can pursue one of three possible career paths. They can choose the specialist or project manager track and be-come an expert in an area or assume responsibility for different projects. Another possibility is to become a manager or director, assuming supervisory responsibility and leading their colleagues.

TrAininG proGrAM in producTion

Well-educated employees, experts and managers make sure our production process and workflow run smoothly to ensure the best quality possible for our products. Our training program in produc-tion offers many opportunities for development. By combining theoretical knowledge with on-the-job experience, participants learn everything they need to know about their future position as

many pathS lead to a bright and Shining career,

a production manager. Through interdisciplinary seminars, par-ticipants learn about quality management, modern production organization, leadership and communication.

cArEErS in EnGinEErinG

Three different career paths are open to engineers at SMA. De-pending on their personal skills and interests, engineers can direct their careers as specialists, project managers, or managers in a variety of departments and with varying levels of responsibility.

Specialists: Senior engineers are those with ample experience in a particular area. They advise employees about technical issues and support sales colleagues. Experienced specialists work at SMA as senior expert engineers. They provide professional ad-vice and support for developers and project managers.

Project managers: Senior project managers are responsible for independent projects within a department. They define tasks, as-sign project employees their roles and are the contact person for the project. Tasks involving more than one department or business area are led by the Senior Expert project manager.

Managers: Engineers may also develop into managers or direc-tors with direct reports.

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and we have the map.

Career Paths at SMA

cuSToM cArEErS: dEvELopMEnT proGrAMFor EnGinEErS And dEvELopErS

Find the right career path for you. Each development program begins with a comprehensive consultation, followed by a career compass. With the help of psychologists from the University of Kassel, we will try to shed light on your potential and find career paths that are the best fit for you. According to your skills and inter-ests, you will collaborate with a manager to create your personal development plan. Whether it's on-the-job training or preparation for a future job, the program is tailored precisely for you.

buiLdinG bLockS oF proFESSionAL dEvELopMEnT

Our development program is made up of three different segments. One of the components involves training and workshops that will prepare you for your new responsibilities. SMA holds both man-datory and optional seminars, allowing employees to focus on their own skills and interests. On-the-job training accompanies these seminars. For example, you could take charge of a specific project, putting your new professional knowledge into practice. Participants also have networking opportunities and the option of attending specific lectures. Every employee is supported by an experienced mentor for the length of the program.

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prAcTicAL knowLEdGE – dEvELopMEnT proGrAMS For EnGinEErS

What do you like most about your development program?

Frank: I really like the networking opportunities. I meet col-leagues from different business areas who I can talk to and share experiences. From these conversations I get good tips that help me find solutions more quickly.

Julia: I agree. I get feedback in the networking meetings and learn a lot from my colleagues and not just from the trainer.

Nils: Another valuable element is that every participant has a mentor. A senior employee from the company helps you with questions and offers a lot of advice, too.

Has this already changed the way you work?

Julia: Yes, I'm much more aware of how I interact with other employees. For example, we recently filled out a question-

nils Frohne, Software developer, Software Technology & Advanced development, communication products, with SMA since 2007, Specialist track 1Julia berestova, Manager portal development, with SMA since 2004, Management track 1Frank krakau, director Software Lifecycle Support communication products, with SMA since 1998, Management track 2

naire about team building and analyzed our strengths and weaknesses together. It helps me do my job more profession-ally, and I hope my colleagues benefit from it too.

Nils: I've noticed that I'm slowly growing into the role of contact person for my specialization. Tasks in my area of expertise are assigned to me first and I'm responsible for them. I've started working with less of a project focus and more of a "big picture" perspective. So it's a transition from blueprint to overall design.

Frank: The program has definitely improved the way I work. I'm becoming more polished. As an engineer, I never used to give much thought to things like employee motivation. For example, in one of our team development training sessions, we created a relationship diagram, and I found it really use-ful. I communicate more with my colleagues now and I have become more confident about making decisions.

Career Paths at SMA

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Everyone at SMA, whether engineer, production employee, or col-league from Sales or Human Resources, should have fun at work. This may sound cliché, however we are serious about making work fun. When people are excited about their work, they are more productive and efficient. Therefore, fun is essential to our success, and is the foundation of our cooperative corporate culture.

burEAucrAcy And boTTLEnEckS – noT AT SMA

Of course, being number one means hard work, so we strive to cre-ate a work place that makes the hard work fun. We want to create the best conditions possible to make our employees feel comfort-able. How do we do this? We have eliminated bureaucracy, rigid structures, lengthy decision-making processes, senseless rules and unnecessary hierarchies.

having work that'S alSo fun

LEEwAy And LATiTudE

We rely on trust and respect. Each employee is given autonomy and the ability to work independently and make their own deci-sions. We provide leeway and latitude. With the exception of our production and service line employees, who work in shifts, SMA employees are given the flexibility to decide how and when to carry out their tasks. Additionally, we value open communication and a cooperative work environment. As at other companies, problems and difficulties arise at SMA. In such situations, we con-front issues head-on and work to solve them together. Of course, we also like to celebrate our successes together. These are only a few of the ways we put our core values into action every day.

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iS why we are So successful.

‶How is SMA different from other companies? If you ask a question, your colleagues will always be happy to help. No one makes you feel inferior, no matter how ‶elementary″ the question might be. At SMA, everyone supports and en-courages each other. There is no 'me' or 'you,' just a strong sense of 'us'.″

klaus kube, Manager Service,with SMA since 2001

SMA's Mission Statement

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At SMA, employees have a good deal of independence and authority to make decisions on their own. They also often join forces with their colleagues to solve problems as a team. So does a company like SMA, which is consistently honored for its corpo-rate culture, actually need a works council? Absolutely. Employee representation is a cornerstone of our corporate culture. In fact, our works council has been around as long as the company.

becauSe we Spend moSt of our day at work,

ThE workS counciL – SMA STyLE

Because of the employee-oriented nature of SMA, our works council is free to concentrate on broader tasks and creative ap-proaches to issues. For example, our works council lobbied to cre-ate ‶work environment delegates″, who act as a liaison between SMA employees and employee representatives. These delegates help facilitate communication and identify and solve problems, contributing to an equitable and enjoyable work environment.

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SMA Works Council

a cooperative atmoSphere iS eSSential.

‶Being a member of the works council is interesting and exciting. We often explore completely new territory when searching for solutions. There are no hard and fast rules, or even existing models. Instead, we tailor our ideas and approaches specifically to SMA. To put it simply, we take what already works well at SMA and try every day to make it a little better.

Of course, the works council and management some-times have different ideas about common interests. Both sides have to be open and invest the time to un-derstand each other. That's why it‘s so important that the company‘s goals and economic situation are well articulated and transparent. The chemistry between the works council and our Managing Board is perfect. We work together in a spirit of partnership and trust. We collaborate on necessary changes and share respon-sibility for them.″

yvonne Siebert, chair woman of the works council,with SMA since 1999

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Our corporate culture is founded on cooperative management. Fairness, trust, partnership and respect are the most important components. These core values shape our interactions with each other and with all our external business partners.

TruST

At SMA, cooperative management means keeping employees informed and inviting them to participate, whenever possible, in decision-making processes. We specifically want employees who are independent thinkers, self-managers and problem solvers. We foster creativity and innovation by encouraging employees to explore uncharted territory. We understand that the development process involves elements of trial and error and therefore use mistakes as an opportunity to collaborate and learn.

all of our employeeS contribute to our SucceSS,

coMMunicATion

Being cooperative means working together as a team, commu-nicating, being open to criticism and respecting the opinions of others, across business areas, departments and team hierarchies. This promotes a strong team spirit and a sense of achievement, resulting in motivation and dedication.

FinAnciAL pArTicipATion

Cooperative company management at SMA also includes finan-cial participation. Since the company was founded, all SMA em-ployees have received a bonus based on company performance on top of their annual salary. Our employees receive, on average, sixteen percent of our annual earnings. Rewarding employees ba-sed directly on the financial success of a company is uncommon, and SMA has been recognized for this with numerous accolades, including the German ‶Fair Company″ seal and the special pri-ze for ‶Fair Compensation″ in the international ‶Great Place to Work″ competition.

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and are rewarded in return.

Participation

A fair share: At SMA everyone profits.

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Our company places particular value on continuing education. Only those who regularly expand their knowledge and continu-ally develop their skills remain on the cutting edge in the area of focus. This also helps keep us at the forefront of our industry. We don't view continuing education as a privilege or a reward for extraordinary performance. At SMA, it is a given.

conTinuinG EducATion: pArT oF ThE SMA pAckAGE

What does that mean exactly? At least five working days a year must be devoted to continuing education. This calls for individual initiative. Employees suggest continuing education opportunities and discuss them with their supervisors. In addition to external con-tinuing education options, SMA offers an internal training schedu-le with many workshops and seminars open to all employees. For example, SMA offers project and expert forums for engineers. These provide detailed and specialized knowledge and encoura-ge an exchange of the wealth of knowledge and experience our company offers.

Continuous learning unlockS potential,

SupporT For nEw coLLEAGuES FroM ThE STArT

New colleagues receive close guidance from the very start. Our orientation events help them assimilate quickly. Tailored welco-ming processes in each department also help them to transition smoothly.

in cASE you didn'T know

As part of the ‶Great Place to Work″ competition, SMA has recei-ved the special ‶Lifelong Learning″ award numerous times for its continuing education policy.

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and effective training iS the key.

‶One thing I noticed immediately at SMA was the excel-lent work environment and collaborative atmosphere. You never feel isolated or alone. When you have que-stions or problems, people are ready to lend a hand and offer advice. The interdepartmental collaboration is excellent as well.“

‶I also like the fact that things are discussed openly at SMA. Employees have regular, one-on-one meetings with their managers to help foster close communica-tion. We use these meetings to identify development opportunities, and resolve any issues that come up. This is motivating and makes my job even more enjoyable.″

britta quanz, Manager Technical writingcommunication products, with SMA since 2005

Lifelong Learning

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Because we spend a significant portion of our day at work, our quality of life depends on a positive work environment. But so does the success of our company. Why? We believe that a harmonious work environment simply boosts productivity. That's why we do so much to ensure that our employees like working here.

A poSiTivE ATMoSphErE: iT'S ThE LiTTLE ThinGS ThAT counT

To create a good environment, we start with the everyday details. Things like flexible, annual, working hour accounts allow employ-ees to determine how and when they want to put in their time. People who work hard need healthy food, so our cafeteria offers a great selection of delicious meals, salads, and snacks. And tea, all types of coffee, and water are free of charge at SMA.

becauSe work impactS one'S quality of life,

LEiSurE AcTiviTiES

Anyone who wants to hop on an elliptical trainer or take a dance aerobics class after work can do that at SMA's on-site health club. A variety of athletic groups meet weekly at SMA. Musically inclined employees can join the SMA a cappella chorus or one of the SMA bands.

STAyinG hEALThy

Once a year, SMA celebrates Health Week. The goal is to remind everyone of the importance of a healthful lifestyle. During Health Week, employees can participate in a number of activities and get valuable information on maintaining fitness and health at work.

bALAncinG LiFE And work

A balanced family life and fulfilling career? You can have both at SMA. The SMA family service provides advice and answers questions about paternity leave, returning to work, or flexible working hours.

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a poSitive working atmosphere iS our priority.

‶Some people say that successfully managing a career and a family is just a matter of organization. But as a mother of two children, I say it's not quite that simple. My ability to work depends on a number of factors, such as the age of my children, their needs, my options for childcare, and the support I receive from both my husband and my employer.

SMA provides me with the ideal conditions and enough freedom to achieve a good work/life balance. For me, this means a challenging, part-time position and a flex-ible schedule. I have access to all the tools I need to do my job efficiently, whether in the office, on the road or at home. It's also fantastic to have understanding col-leagues who support my situation.″

Allison vössing, director,international Marketing Support,

with SMA since 2001

Work-Life Balance

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Work-Life Balance

‶biG drEAMS...ThAT cAME TruE″

Corinna and Werner, you decided to take a trip around the world in 1999. How did your supervisors and colleagues react to this?

‶When we first told board members, Günther Cramer and Peter Drews, that we wanted to take six months off to travel around the world, they were, of course, very surprised. But they really impressed us with their dedication to helping employees realize dreams that aren’t directly related to their work at SMA. We had accumulated a lot of overtime hours and vacation days, but we still didn't expect it would be so easy to find a solution that worked for everybody. After a lot of preparation and with full support from our colleagues, we were finally able to take off in 2001 and make our dream come true. It was a great feeling, and one that we're still thankful for to this day.″

What changed at SMA while you were gone?

‶SMA grew by about 200 employees in the six months we were away. We were able to start back in our old jobs completely reinvigorated and were ready to tackle our jobs again. It was a wonderful, enriching experience. Although

many people travel around the world, only a very few are able to make their dreams come true with the support of their employer.″

You went on another long trip in winter of 2010, taking your children with you to New Zealand and Australia for three months. How did you arrange that? ‶We wanted to take the opportunity to travel one more time before our oldest child started school. We, of course, needed to give work plenty of notice about our plans. We had to get the support of our supervisors and colleagues and save up vacation time. Using a lifelong working time account is a good option here. We researched and read a great deal at home, discussed things and made kid-friendly plans so that the four of us would have an unforgettable experience.″

werner büker, director, iT product Management,with SMA since 1990

corinna rühe, director, hr Management, power plant Solutions, off-Grid & railway,

with SMA since 1998

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At SMA, our working environment is unique and positive. This inspires us and contributes to our success. But we aren't the only ones who say this. The awards we win say it too.

SMA rEcoGnizEd AS bEST EMpLoyEr

For years, we have placed at the top in the ‶Great Place to Work″ competition, both in Germany and in all of Europe, and in 2011 we even took first place. SMA's policy on continuing education, in particular, earns regular kudos from judges. This is the reason SMA has been recognized multiple times with the ‶Lifelong Learn-ing″ award.

SMA also received the special award for fair compensation in the "Great Place to Work Europe 2009" competition.

An AwArd For FAirnESS

Another renowned distinction we have received is the 2008 Ger-man Fairness Award. The Deutsche Fairness-Stiftung (German Fairness Foundation) had this to say: ‶The Managing Board leads the firm with a profound sense of fairness, cooperation and profit-sharing; of social, ethical and ecological values; and of financial success and corporate social responsibility.″ What makes this recognition so special is that companies cannot apply for it – they are nominated.

Awards are meant to motivate,

Top EMpLoyEr For EnGinEErS

The CFR Institute, an independent research organization, recog-nized SMA as a ‶TOP Employer for Engineers 2011″. This was the fourth time the institute gave the award, and the second time SMA received it. The first time was in 2009.

rEcoGnizEd For our cuLTurE oF innovATion

In February 2011, SMA received the Axia Award for the Rhine-Main region in the ‶Culture of Innovation – Success Factor for Mid-sized Companies″ category. With this award the Deloitte auditing firm recognizes outstanding achievements by mid-sized companies. The judges were impressed with SMA's cooperative culture of innovation, with its flat hierarchies and open communi-cation.

These honors and other awards are proof positive that SMA's special corporate culture guarantees broad latitude and many opportunities for shaping our working lives. They spur us on to deliver our best every day.

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and we Strive to be the best.

Honors and Awards

The 2008 German Fairness Award: Recognition for our outstanding corporate culture 35

Would you like to have an exciting job with numerous develop-ment opportunities, creative potential, and freedom to explore your ideas? Would you like to work in a place that values indi-vidual responsibility, independent thinking, and collaboration? Do you want to help create a future with photovoltaics as an environmentally friendly energy supply? If so, we look forward to receiving your application.

Visit our career portal at jobs.SMA.de/en and find out more about the opportunities at SMA. Here, you will find detailed in-formation and our current job openings, along with other em-ployees sharing stories about their work, their careers, and their experiences at SMA.

For more information about SMA and its products, visit us online at www.SMA.de/en.

Welcome to our present – the Solar Future!

the solar future StartS today,

36

time you get Started at SMA.

jobs.SMA.de/enSMA Solar Technology AG

Sonnenallee 1d-34266 niestetalApplicant hotline: +49 561 9522-1111E-mail: personal@SMA.de

ERFO

LGSB

ROSC

H-AE

N11

2110