DGAP-Adhoc: SMA Solar Technology AG: SMA generates 140% surge in sales to EUR 519 million in first nine months and increases sales forecast for 2008

SMA Solar Technology AG / Quarter Results

05.11.2008 

Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Q3 strongest quarter in SMA’s history with EUR 227 million sales
- Sales up 140% to EUR 519 million in first nine months
- EBIT Q1-Q3 rises to EUR 132 million
- EBIT margin Q1-Q3 improves to 25.4%
- SMA increases sales forecast for 2008 to EUR 650 to 690 million 

In the third quarter of 2008, SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) again recorded
a highly positive business performance. Due to the fact that the quarterly
results exceed the expectations SMA already publishes first key data today.
On account of the ongoing strong demand for SMA photovoltaic inverters in
Germany and abroad, sales rose by 120% to EUR 226.7 million in the third
quarter (previous year quarter: EUR 102.8 million). Consequently, SMA
generated a 140% surge in sales to EUR 519.3 million in the first nine
months of fiscal 2008 (previous year nine months: EUR 216.5 million). The
international markets continued to make a key contribution to total sales.
The international share of total sales in the first nine months was 42%
(previous year nine months: 28%).

In the third quarter of 2008, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)
amounted to EUR 63.1 million. Accordingly, SMA improved its EBIT in the
reporting period January to September 2008 to EUR 131.8 million (previous
year nine months: EUR 38.2 million). The EBIT margin rose to 25.4%
(previous year nine months: 17.6%). The SMA Group's net profit for the
period rose to EUR 93.9 million in the first nine months which equals an
approx. quadrupling compared to the same period of the previous year (EUR
23.4 million). With 34.7 million shares outstanding as at the closing date
September 30, 2008, SMA generated earnings per share in the reporting
period of EUR 2.71.

On the basis of the positive business performance in the third quarter SMA
management increases its sales forecast for fiscal 2008 to EUR 650.0 to
690.0 million. Thus management anticipates a doubling in total sales
compared to the previous year. The EBIT margin is estimated to be 23% -
25%. On November 14, SMA Solar Technology AG will publish its Quarterly
Financial Report for the period January to September 2008.
SMA Solar Technology AG
Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany
Admission of shares on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange
WKN:  A0DJ6J
ISIN:  DE000A0DJ6J9


Contact Investor Relations:

SMA Solar Technology AG
Sonnenallee 1
34266 Niestetal
Germany
Tel. +49 561 9522-22 22
Fax.+49 561 9522-11 03
ir@sma.de


Disclaimer:

This document contains forward-looking statements and information – that
is, statements related to future, not past, events. These statements may be
identified by words such as 'expects,' 'looks forward to,' 'anticipates,'
'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' 'will,' 'project' or
words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on our current
expectations and certain assumptions, and are, therefore, subject to
certain risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are
beyond SMA’s control, affect our operations, performance, business strategy
and results and could cause the actual results, performance or achievements
of SMA to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. For us, particular uncertainties arise, among others, from
changes in general economic and business conditions (including margin
developments, the legal and regulatory framework, changes in currency
exchange rates and interest rates.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those described in the relevant forward-looking statement as expected,
anticipated, intended, planned, believed, sought, estimated or projected.
SMA does not intend or assume any obligation to update or revise these
forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those
anticipated.
DGAP 05.11.2008 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language:     English
Issuer:       SMA Solar Technology AG
              Sonnenallee 1
              34266 Niestetal
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)561 / 9522 - 0
Fax:          +49 (0)561 / 9522 - 100
E-mail:       info@sma.de
Internet:     http://www.sma.de
ISIN:         DE000A0DJ6J9
WKN:          A0DJ6J 
Indices:      TecDAX
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------