--- title: "SMA Solar Sunny Tripower CORE1 STP 50-41 Grid-tie Inverter: Specs & Datasheet | ComparePV" description: "SMA Solar Sunny Tripower CORE1 STP 50-41 50 kW grid-tie inverter. Specs: 97.8% European efficiency, 6 MPPT, 1000 V max DC input, 84.0 kg, 5 yrs warranty." source: "https://comparepv.com/inverter/sma-solar-sunny-tripower-core1-stp-50-41" updated: 2026-01-16 --- # SMA Solar Sunny Tripower CORE1 STP 50-41 ## Identity - **Manufacturer:** SMA Solar - **Model:** Sunny Tripower CORE1 STP 50-41 - **Series:** Sunny Tripower CORE1 - **Rated AC power:** 50 kW - **Type:** Grid-tie - **Phases:** Three-phase ## How it compares Compared against 243 inverters from 30 to 100 kW. Ranks are within that class. | Measure | This inverter | Class median | Standing | Rank in class | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | European efficiency | 97.8% | 98.2% | Weak - bottom 12% | 144 | | MPPT trackers | 6 | 4 | Typical | 24 | | Max DC input voltage | 1000 V | 1100 V | Typical | 125 | | Weight per kW | 1.7 | 1.1 | Weak - bottom 17% | 187 | | Warranty | 5 yrs | 5 yrs | Typical | 17 | ## Specification ### AC output - **Rated AC power:** 50 kW - **Max apparent power:** 50.00 kVA - **Phases:** Three-phase - **Nominal AC voltage:** 230 V - **Max AC current:** 72.5 A - **Grid frequency:** 50 Hz - **Power factor:** 1 at rated power; adjustable displacement power factor 0.0 leading to 0.0 lagging - **Harmonic distortion (THD):** 3.0 % ### PV input - **Max DC input power:** 75.00 kW - **Max DC voltage:** 1000 V - **MPPT voltage range:** 150 to 1000 V - **Start-up voltage:** 188 V - **MPPT trackers:** 6 - **Max input current per MPPT:** 20.0 A - **Max short-circuit current per MPPT:** 30.0 A ### Efficiency - **European efficiency:** 97.8 % - **Max efficiency:** 98.1 % ### Physical - **Dimensions:** 733 × 569 × 621 mm - **Weight:** 84.0 kg - **Enclosure:** IP65 - **Cooling:** forced-air - **Noise:** 65 dB - **Operating temperature:** -25 to 60 °C - **Max humidity:** 100 % ### Connectivity and protection - **Interfaces:** Wi-Fi, Ethernet - **Protocols:** SMA Modbus, SunSpec Modbus, Speedwire, Webconnect, RS485 (optional module) - **Protection:** AFCI, DC switch ### Warranty and certificates - **Warranty:** 5 years - **Certifications:** C10/11:2019, EN 50549-1/-2, EN 50549-10:2022, NA/EEA-NE7, CE, VDE 0126-1-1, VDE-AR-N 4110, VDE-AR-N 4105:2018, NRS 097-2-1:2017 (A3), CEI 0-16/0-21:2020, VFR 2019, RD 1699/413, RD 661, TED/749/2020, AS 4777, IEC 61727, IEC 62109-1/2, IEC 62116, IEC 60068-2-x, TOR Erzeuger, G99, NBR 16149 ### Pros - **Free-standing design - ~60% faster installation** - The CORE1's concept as the world's first free-standing string inverter eliminates the need for wall mounting and additional racking hardware. SMA claims a roughly 60% reduction in installation time compared to conventional wall-mounted inverters of equivalent power, directly lowering labor costs and BoS expenses in C&I projects. - **6 independent MPPTs, 12 string inputs** - Six independent MPPT trackers with 12 direct string inputs (no DC combiner boxes required) enable support for multiple roof orientations, mismatched strings, and partially shaded arrays with minimal yield loss. A PV oversizing ratio of up to 150% of rated AC power provides additional design flexibility. - **98% peak efficiency, CEC ~97.83%** - The STP 50-41 achieves a CEC/EU efficiency of ~97.83%, outperforming direct segment competitors - the Fronius Symo Advanced (~97.25%) and Symo Lite (~97.58%). The higher weighted efficiency translates into measurably greater energy yield under Central European climate conditions, where partial-load operation predominates. - **AFCI (UL 1699B) + I-V curve diagnostics** - An integrated next-generation DC arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI, UL 1699B certified) combined with on-board PV generator I-V curve scanning enables early detection of string degradation and arc faults without additional measurement equipment, reducing the frequency of on-site service visits. - **SMA Smart Connected - premium-grade monitoring** - The Smart Connected feature automatically detects events and notifies the installer or service team, which SMA states cuts service truck rolls by up to 50%. Rapid commissioning via the Smart Inverter Screen (Wi-Fi/QR code) and dual Ethernet ports with Modbus TCP (SunSpec) simplify integration with SCADA systems and fleet monitoring platforms. ### Cons - **Maximum unit power of 62.5 kW** - The per-unit power ceiling of 62.5 kW falls short of competing commercial platforms - such as the Huawei SUN2000-100KTL and Sungrow SG110CX - which offer modules up to 110 kW. For systems above 500 kWp, this requires 40-70% more inverter units, increasing the number of AC connection points and potentially raising overall wiring costs. - **Withdrawal from select regional markets** - SMA has discontinued CORE1 sales in Australia and New Zealand with no announced successor or replacement timeline. Although the product remains active in Europe and the US, selective market withdrawal signals a mature stage in the product lifecycle and may indicate limited availability of certain hardware variants within a 3-5 year horizon. ## About this series The Sunny Tripower CORE1 series are **pole-mounted string inverters grid-tie** designed for distributed commercial installations - on rooftops, on the ground, and in carport structures. Instead of classic wall-mounting, the CORE1 concept simplifies logistics and genuinely shortens installation time, while simultaneously reducing BoS costs. In practice, it’s distinguished by **arc fault protection (AFCI) and inverter I-V curve diagnostics**, facilitating high system availability maintenance. It operates with **6 independent MPPTs** - a major advantage for varied roof orientations, mismatched strings, and seasonal shading. High European efficiency means more energy produced when the system operates for the longest periods - in real Polish climate conditions. Quick activation is enabled by the **Smart Inverter Screen via WLAN (QR)**, and larger systems also feature **two Ethernet ports** with Modbus TCP (SunSpec). The CORE1 is primarily targeted at C&I and small industrial investors, where deployment time, monitoring, and reliability matter. ## Questions ### How many MPPT trackers does the Sunny Tripower CORE1 have, and is that sufficient for a multi-roof-plane installation? The Sunny Tripower CORE1 is equipped with 6 independent MPPT trackers, each supporting up to 2 strings (20 A per string, 120 A combined per tracker). This allows modules with different orientations, tilt angles, or partial shading to be connected without causing losses on the remaining strings. It is a highly practical solution for installations spanning multiple roof planes of an industrial building or for carport systems. ### What is AFCI in the SMA CORE1 inverter, and is it mandatory? AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a built-in arc-fault protection feature that detects arc discharges in DC wiring and module strings, then immediately shuts down the inverter before a fire can develop. In the CORE1, this function is included as standard. In Poland it is not yet broadly required by regulation, but it significantly enhances the safety of commercial rooftop installations with a large number of strings. ### What does I-V curve diagnostics in the Sunny Tripower CORE1 involve, and when is it most useful? I-V generator diagnostics enable the inverter to measure the current-voltage characteristic of each string without requiring a site visit from a technician carrying an external measurement device. This makes it straightforward to detect damaged modules, suboptimal connections, or performance degradation. The feature is particularly valuable during initial system commissioning and as part of regular preventive maintenance inspections of large commercial systems. ### How much faster can the Sunny Tripower CORE1 be installed compared to conventional wall-mounted inverters? The CORE1 concept is based on a free-standing, self-contained enclosure that eliminates the need for wall mounting and simplifies on-site logistics. According to SMA data, installation time is reduced by up to 60% compared to conventional wall-mounted inverters. Commissioning is carried out via the Smart Inverter Screen directly from a smartphone over WLAN using a QR code, further accelerating deployment without the need for a laptop or service cable. ### What is the warranty on the Sunny Tripower CORE1, and can it be extended? The standard manufacturer's warranty on the Sunny Tripower CORE1 is 5 years (European version) or 10 years (US version), with optional SMA warranty extension packages available to 10, 15, or 20 years. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and is fulfilled directly by SMA as the manufacturer. For commercial investments, it is advisable to purchase an extended warranty at the point of sale, as this facilitates the negotiation of operations and maintenance (O&M) service agreements. ### For which commercial installations is the Sunny Tripower CORE1 series best suited? The CORE1 is designed for distributed installations in the C&I (commercial & industrial) segment: rooftops of warehouses and manufacturing facilities, ground-mounted systems, and carport structures in corporate parking areas. The free-standing form factor simplifies transport to rooftop locations without the need for a crane, while the 6 MPPT trackers and DC voltage range of 150-1000 V provide significant flexibility in string design. Dual Ethernet ports with Modbus TCP (SunSpec) enable straightforward integration with monitoring platforms and SCADA systems. ## Datasheet [Manufacturer datasheet (PDF)](https://comparepv.com/datasheets/inverters/stp50-41-ds-en-20-66d214bbe419.pdf) ## Alternatives | Inverter | Rated AC | Euro efficiency | MPPT | Weight | Difference | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Huawei SUN2000-50KTL-JPM0](https://comparepv.com/inverter/huawei-sun2000-50ktl-jpm0) | 50 kW | 98.6% | 6 | 71.0 kg | +0.8 pp efficiency, 13.0 kg lighter | | [Huawei SUN2000-50KTL-M0](https://comparepv.com/inverter/huawei-sun2000-50ktl-m0) | 50 kW | 98.5% | 6 | 74.0 kg | +0.7 pp efficiency, 10.0 kg lighter | | [Solis-50K-HV](https://comparepv.com/inverter/ginlong-solis-solis-50k-hv) | 50 kW | 98.5% | 4 | 61.0 kg | +0.7 pp efficiency, -2 MPPT, 23.0 kg lighter | | [Growatt MAX 50KTL3 LV](https://comparepv.com/inverter/growatt-max-50ktl3-lv) | 50 kW | 98.4% | | 82.0 kg | +0.6 pp efficiency, 2.0 kg lighter | | [Sungrow SG50CX](https://comparepv.com/inverter/sungrow-sg50cx) | 50 kW | 98.4% | | 62.0 kg | +0.6 pp efficiency, 22.0 kg lighter | | [Solis-50K](https://comparepv.com/inverter/ginlong-solis-solis-50k) | 50 kW | 98.4% | 4 | 63.0 kg | +0.6 pp efficiency, -2 MPPT, 21.0 kg lighter | | [SOFAR 50000TL](https://comparepv.com/inverter/sofar-solar-sofar-50000tl) | 50 kW | 98.3% | 3 | 68.0 kg | +0.5 pp efficiency, -3 MPPT, 16.0 kg lighter | | [Sungrow SG50CX-P2](https://comparepv.com/inverter/sungrow-sg50cx-p2) | 50 kW | 98.3% | 4 | 41.0 kg | +0.5 pp efficiency, -2 MPPT, 43.0 kg lighter | --- Source: https://comparepv.com/inverter/sma-solar-sunny-tripower-core1-stp-50-41