Based in Sydney, Mr Nejman leads a team of sales, marketing, product training and technical service specialists who support the region. He holds a business degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Indiana and has over 30 years of business experience.

Where does your interest in clean energy stem from?

I think we all have an interest in cleaning up the way we generate our energy and the use of fossil fuels.

What does the solar industry need to do to be cost competitive with traditional energy generation? How is SMA working toward this goal?

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The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is continually working to make PV a truly viable energy option in Australia and around the world. In some parts of the country, it already is. As one of the industry’s leading inverter manufacturers, SMA is playing its part in leading the design of more advanced products to improve efficiency and quality. This means higher yields and greater savings in the long term.

What has been the greatest achievement of the solar industry in the past five years?

The solar industry is continually evolving. Over the past five years, technological advances in the industry have contributed to making PV a viable option for generating clean and efficient energy. This has led to consumers embracing PV as a reliable, affordable and practical energy source.

What is an example of a government incentive that you have found particularly helpful to the growth of the solar industry?

The pioneering German Renewable Energy Sources Act in 2000 is a great example. Through this Act, aimed at propelling the renewable energy industry, Germany’s feed-in tariff programs provided funding for the growth of the industry. PV was fortunate to be a part of this program, which has now been copied around the world. If we could get that kind of support for clean energy in Australia, we could easily power our future without the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels.

What one piece of advice would you give new entrants to the clean energy industry?

I would advise any new entrants to focus on the long-term future of the industry. Be passionate about what you do and actively seek to improve the industry as a whole. SMA has been in business for 30 years, and in that time has been contributing to the continual improvement of the solar PV industry.

What promising technology is your company currently developing?

Companies are racing to make PV common-place. One major consideration is the storage of energy for use at times when electricity is most expensive. Though the technology has been around for a long time, making it usable and affordable for the average household has always been an issue. Managing household energy usage is high on our agenda at SMA.