SMA Solar lowers 2018 sales guidance again and loses market share to rival SolarEdge

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
SMA Solar said that it expected 2018 sales to be in the range of €760 million to €780 million, compared to previously lowered guidance of €800 million to €850 million. Image: SMA Solar

Major PV inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology has lowered both its revenue and profit forecast again for 2018, citing continued ‘strong pricing pressure’ through November. 

SMA Solar said that it expected 2018 sales to be in the range of €760 million to €780 million, compared to previously lowered guidance of €800 million to €850 million. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Lost revenue and previously announced restructuring charges would lead to a negative EBITDA in the medium to upper double-digit million euro range, compared to previous guidance of break-even to slightly negative EBITDA.

“The SMA Managing Board has decided early on to adapt the company’s structures to the changed conditions that are characterized by continued strong price pressure,” said SMA Solar CEO Dr. Jürgen Reinert. “We expect to close the discussions with the works council on the planned restructuring measures soon. We will then start with the implementation at the beginning of next year. In addition, we have already started to introduce new products and solutions in the international markets and have enhanced our sales initiatives in order to increase sales and achieve positive EBITDA in the following year.”

However, SMA Solar noted that it still expected sales growth and a positive EBITDA at the end of its 2019 financial year. 

As recently highlighted by PV Tech, SMA Solar has been losing market share to rivals such as SolarEdge Technologies, which has retained good revenue growth in almost two years, while retaining high gross margins and strong profitability. 

SolarEdge had surpassed SMA Solar on quarterly revenue figures for the first time in the third quarter of 2018.

SolarEdge had surpassed SMA Solar on quarterly revenue figures for the first time.

Based on SMA Solars lowered annual revenue guidance, compared to SolarEdge’s recent full-year forecast, SolarEdge’s annual revenue figures will surpass SMA Solar’s for the first time. 

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA
Solar Media Events
April 17, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
May 1, 2024
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
May 21, 2024
Napa, USA