The first Inverter & MLPE partnership to bring the interoperability envisioned by SunSpec Alliance supported by major PV Module manufacturers.

LOS GATOS, CA - September 11, 2017 - Tigo, pioneer of the smart modular Flex MLPE platform, and SMA, global market leader for solar inverters, have joined forces to deliver total compliance with the newly released SunSpec Alliance specifications regarding Rapid Shutdown adoption for PV plants. SunSpec Alliance, certifier of PV components and communication standards, has defined the specifications of the powerline-based PV transmitter signal covering varying installation types and regions.

Tigo and SMAs partnership brings the first transmitter and receiver offering representing interoperability between the inverter and the PV module's MLPE. SMA‘s full line of US string inverters will be supporting the new SunSpec standard to fulfill the tightened module-level requirements in National Electric Code (NEC) 2017, becoming mandatory in January 2019. Tigo will expand its current offering to include a SunSpec Rapid Shutdown and add this capability to its TS4 Flex MLPE product line. The new addition is 100% compatible and certified by about 40 PV module suppliers currently using the TS4 platform - including Trina Solar, Itek, and Sunpreme. The new offering is also available for add-on or retrofit applications.

The new SunSpec specifications were developed by a workgroup of more than 75 solar professionals. Comibing Tigo's module-level shutdown capabilities and SMAs renowned Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) function, the unique partnership will deliver maximum system safety and reliability by adhering to those specifications and being fully compliant with NEC 2017. Once adopted, this robust solution will accommodate all PV modules while minimizing multi-vendor compatibility issues.

"The solar industry is experiencing significant growth with new requirements, so we welcome the vendor coordination efforts and the wide adoption by many vendors working to improve the safety of clean energy production," says Danny Eizips, VP of Engineering at Tigo. "This is a great opportunity for multi-vendor support."

"Together, SMA and Tigo are minimizing the adoption difficulties presented with any new specifications," says Nick Morbach, Executive Vice President of Residential and Commercial Business Unit at SMA.

"As a Tigo partner and integrator of TS4, Trina welcomes the wide adoption of this safety feature, says Jing Tian, President of North American Region at Trina Solar. "We are now shipping our Rapid Shutdown compliant smart modules."

Tigo is now shipping its integrated Rapid Shutdown offering worldwide as a module solution. For price and delivery call +1.408.402.0802 ext. 1, email sales@tigoenergy.com, or visit www.tigoenergy.com.

About Tigo
Tigo is a Silicon Valley company founded in 2007 by a team of experienced technologists. Combining a unique systems-level approach with expertise in semi-conductors, power electronics, and solar energy, the Tigo team developed the first-generation Smart Module Optimizer technology for the solar industry. Tigo's vision is to leverage integrated and retrofitted Flex MLPE and communications technology to drive the cost of solar electricity down. By partnering with tier 1 module and inverter manufacturers in the industry, Tigo is able to focus on its key innovation with the smartest TS4 modular platform and leverage the broader ecosystem. Tigo has operations in the USA, across Europe, Latin America, Japan, China, Australia and the Middle East. Visit www.tigoenergy.com.