- National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:NSM) and Shoals Technologies Group, providers of energy solutions that create and maintain clean and sustainable energy, have developed the first in a series of new "smart" Shoals products: junction boxes with National Semiconductor's SolarMagic™ inside.

National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:NSM) and Shoals Technologies Group, providers of energy solutions that create and maintain clean and sustainable energy, have developed the first in a series of new "smart" Shoals products: junction boxes with National Semiconductor's SolarMagic™ power optimization technology inside.

National's award-winning SolarMagic suite of products are intelligent power electronics that maximize energy output capture at either the panel or string level. Coupling this technology with Shoals' offerings—which include junction boxes, combiner boxes, "plug-and-play" harness solutions, photovoltaic monitoring systems and racking—provides system integrators a complete smart panel solution that cost-effectively optimizes solar energy system performance.

National and Shoals will demonstrate SolarMagic smart panel junction boxes at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany, June 9-11, 2010. Visit National Semiconductor in Hall B5, Booth #429 and Shoals in Hall A3, Booth #201.

"Balance of system solutions like SolarMagic are essential to driving the solar market forward. As the market evolves, customer demand increases for smart electronics products that maximize power production at the lowest cost," said Mike Polacek, Senior Vice President, National Semiconductor. "By collaborating with Shoals Technologies, a global leader in balance of system components, National Semiconductor is further improving the cost-effectiveness of solar power optimization and facilitating a quicker return on investment for array owners."

"We are excited to collaborate with a power management pioneer like National Semiconductor to incorporate SolarMagic technology into our industry-leading products," said Dean Solon, President and CEO, Shoals Technologies Group. "With this strategic relationship in place, we are able to develop and introduce to the market the next generation of smart solar electronics that will shape the direction of the industry." Shoals expects that global photovoltaic installations of its solar products will exceed one gigawatt peak (GWp) in 2010.

About SolarMagic
National's SolarMagic SM3320 is the first analog-intensive power management chipset in a new category of in-panel electronics that improves power output, reliability and cost-effectiveness of solar systems. SolarMagic enables each solar panel to produce the maximum energy regardless of whether other panels in the array are under-performing due to mismatch. SolarMagic monitors and maximizes the energy harvest of each individual PV panel through a combination of advanced algorithms and leading-edge mixed-signal technology. In worldwide tests, SolarMagic can recoup up to 71 percent of power lost to mismatch - regardless of cell technology - giving installation owners more predictable power output and increased return on investment.

About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is a leader in analog power management technology. Its products include easy-to-use integrated circuits, PowerWise products that enable more energy-efficient systems, and SolarMagic products which improve the energy output of solar arrays. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary last May. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., National reported sales of $1.46 billion for fiscal 2009. Additional information is available at www.national.com.

About Shoals Technologies Group
Shoals Technologies Group is a leading manufacturer of balance of systems solutions. Through innovation and diversification Shoals has grown exponentially since its founding in 1996. Shoals maintains a diverse portfolio of PV balance of systems products, including, combiner/re-combiner boxes, disconnecting combiner boxes, custom harnessing solutions, junction boxes, PV wire, in-line fuses, racking and PV monitoring solutions. Additional information is available at www.shoals.com.

National Semiconductor is a registered trademark and SolarMagic is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.