SMA has unveiled a new and improved version of its Sunny Boy-US line of inverters, part of the company’s Power+ residential solar offering. The new Sunny Boy will offer the latest technology and include enhanced safety features to comply with current industry regulations.
“The new Sunny Boy-US line of inverters has been updated to meet the industry’s continually changing PV standards and safety requirements,” said Nick Morbach, executive VP of SMA’s residential and commercial business unit. “It is essential that installers have the best possible solar solutions and products to ensure their customers’ systems operate as safely and efficiently as possible.”
One of the key improvements in the next-generation Sunny Boy is the ability to integrate SMA’s new TS4-R-F module-level retrofit device, a SunSpec compatible solution that increases safety and delivers cost-effective, module-level shutdown. The Sunspec transmitter is factory integrated. No additional hardware or communication equipment is required for operation. It represents the fastest and easiest way to comply with NEC 2017 680.12, which is now being enforced. With this solution, installers leverage the open-source Sunspec rapid shutdown protocol, which has already been adopted by many leading PV technology companies.
Additional safety and reliability are afforded with SMA’s advanced AFCI technology. The company is the first to certify to the new UL Standard 1699B-2008. With the new certification, integrators and system owners will benefit from increased uptime and production as well as greater confidence that AFCI lab results will match field performance.
Power production is maximized with OptiTrac Global Peak maximum power point tracking technology, which provides string-level optimization and greater overall system value. Granular string-level reporting including voltage, current, power and DC energy also gives system owners a new level of insight. Coupled with the Sunny Boy’s new integrated wall mount bracket that accelerates installation, the new inverter represents the fastest and most effective solution on the market for shade mitigation.
In addition to compliance with NEC 2017, the new inverters are compliant with California Rule 21 Phase 2 and UL 1741. The new Sunny Boy-US also offers simple, selectable country codes for region-specific smart inverter functionality in areas such as Hawaii, California and the Northeast. SMA will continue to offer an optional cellular modem and revenue grade meter.
SMA’s proprietary Secure Power Supply function also returns with the new Sunny Boy models. Homeowners can once again access up to 2,000 watts of daytime opportunity power. Secure Power Supply is easily installed, taking only a few minutes, and works with the company’s TS4-R-S and TS4-R-O module-level technologies.
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Kelsey has spent over seven years in the renewable energy space and is the current managing editor of Solar Power World.
I’ve just discovered that these new Sunny Boys lose the secure power supply functionality when coupled with the TS4-R-F rapid shutdown module. Yes, Colt, I believe you do need the two-9V battery workaround for the TS4-R-0s to utilize the SPS. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for the TS4-R-F, and I can’t find a solution. The Sunny Boy must send some sort of ON/OFF signal over the DC wires. If anyone knows of a workaround, that would be very helpful. (I’m looking at you, SMA… 😉
Can someone verify if the newer Sunny Boys already work with the TS4-R-O ans SPS or do I need to do the following Here is a link I found that supports the process, but these may be old
https://ressupply.com/documents/sma/Secure_Power_Supply_Operation_with_TS4-R-O.pdf
Hi Kelsey,
Thanks for the overview of SMA’s new ‘SP-41’ model. It’s always helpful to call out the model number (SMA SB -.0 – 1-SP-US-41, I always forget where the dashes are… + add sizes available… 3.0…) and the date of introduction (usually the initial ship date). Models change along with features and ‘compatibilities’, so having specifics is helpful. Also, a spec sheet (clickable), would help even more. In 2019 we had some issues around the module level power electronics ‘Optimzers’ when combined with this inverter and I’m wondering if others have too. Of course, we have only used the Tigo TS4-Os previous to 2019 on a few projects with specific shade issues combined with the ‘old’ SP-40 model. We really like the SMA’s Secure Power Supply feature (‘some’ Affordable Back-Up, daytime only…) so we’d like to continue to offer this product so our customers can be prepared for outages from Windstorms, Ice, Fires and the Cascadia Event’ (E.Q.). Things got a bit complex with the MLPE-RS and the low voltage (18vdc) backup for the SPS… I can appreciate the efforts to get it right but hope it resolves soon.
