- SMA's three solution architectures address grid interconnection delays and compliance challenges: GridAssist for load smoothing and grid code compliance, GridLink AC for decoupling loads and maintaining stable operations, and GridLink DC (launching 2027) for 800V DC-powered AI infrastructure.
- Data center operators face two primary paths to power access: pursuing grid connections or collocating new generation assets with facilities, both requiring reliable operation amid complex compliance and stability requirements.
- SMA brings 45 years of utility-scale energy expertise including grid stabilization, grid-forming, battery integration, cybersecurity, and power plant controls deployed at gigawatt scale worldwide.
SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) is expanding its Large Scale and Project Solutions business into the rapidly growing data center market. The company is introducing a portfolio of data center power infrastructure solutions specifically designed for AI and hyperscale applications. Built on SMA's proven utility-scale technology platform and decades of grid integration expertise, the portfolio addresses one of the industry's most critical challenges: accelerating time-to-power while delivering reliable and scalable operation. Driven by artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and digitalization, global demand for data center capacity is growing at an unprecedented pace. As operators race to bring new facilities online, access to power has become a decisive factor for project success. In many regions, lengthy grid interconnection processes and increasing grid stability requirements are slowing the deployment of new data center capacity. This development is creating significant demand for advanced electrical infrastructure and grid integration solutions. For SMA, it represents a natural extension of the company's long-standing expertise in power conversion, grid integration and energy management, enabling the company to support a rapidly growing new customer segment with proven technologies and services. “For years, much of the data center conversation has focused on accessing power,” said Jay Arghestani, managing director of Sales, Technology and Marketing for Large Scale Solutions at SMA America. “Data center developers either pursue a grid connection, or collocation of new generation assets with their data center, or increasingly, both. And regardless of their decision, they must deliver reliable operation while facing complex compliance and stability challenges. These are the challenges SMA has been solving at scale for decades.” Proven expertise for the next generation of digital infrastructure SMA brings 45 years of experience in utility-scale energy systems to the data center sector. The company's capabilities include grid stabilization, grid-forming, battery energy storage integration, cybersecurity, power plant controls and the management of complex electrical infrastructures. This expertise forms the foundation of SMA's dedicated data center portfolio. While specifically engineered for the requirements of modern data centers, the solutions leverage the same proven power conversion platform, medium-voltage power stations, controls and integration expertise that SMA has deployed at gigawatt scale worldwide. The combination of a rapidly expanding addressable market and SMA's proven technology base creates a compelling growth opportunity for the company. The portfolio includes three solution architectures: SMA GridAssist is a battery-based architecture that supports grid-connected data centers through load smoothing, power quality stabilization and grid code compliance. SMA GridLink AC is a medium-voltage UPS (uninterruptable power supply) architecture that decouples data center loads from the grid, addressing interconnection challenges and maintain stable operations. SMA GridLink DC supports the industry's transition toward 800V DC-powered AI infrastructure. Planned for deployment in 2027, the solution is designed to improve efficiency, scalability and power availability from grid to compute while reducing technology and execution risks. Together, these solutions allow data center developers and operators to select the architecture best suited to their specific operational, grid and business requirements. Enabling the next generation of AI-driven infrastructure As AI workloads continue to drive higher power densities and increasing energy demand, data centers require electrical infrastructures that are flexible, scalable and resilient. "Project execution and system uptime are at the core of what we do," said Arghestani. "Our mission is to ensure every project is commissioned on schedule, performs optimally from day one, and delivers reliable, long-term operation that maximizes availability and exceeds customer expectations. Our approach is to bring proven power conversion technology and deep grid expertise into this market, then work alongside customers to determine the right architecture for the project. Whether that is AC today, DC tomorrow or a combination over time, the underlying requirement is the same: power must be reliable, scalable and ready to perform.”
As a leading global specialist in photovoltaic and storage 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 and battery inverters, holistic system solutions for PV and battery-storage systems of all power classes, intelligent energy management systems and charging solutions for electric vehicles and power-to-gas applications. Digital energy services as well as extensive services round off SMA’s range. The SMA PV inverters sold around the world since 2006, with a total output of approximately 156 GW, have helped to avoid greenhouse gas emissions of more than 69 million metric tons of CO2e. This corresponds to avoided environmental costs of approximately €21 billion. 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 on the SDAX and TecDAX indices.
