S.L.A.M. Power Solutions: Providing best technology, products, solutions and services in renewable energy industry

After FIMER S.p.A (Italy) acquired ABB Solar Division in 2020, S.L.A.M. Power Solutions Ltd. was incorporated having the same staff as in ABB Solar division in order to continue on the after sales service supports and distribution of ABB/FIMER Solar Inverters & EV Chargers. Now SLAM is responsible for managing the service supports for ABB/FIMER solar inverters installed in Sri Lanka since 2010 for a total installed base of 250MW+ out of 1000MW solar systems in Sri Lanka.

While operating as the only authorised channel partner and service provider for ABB/FIMER Solar Inverters & EV Chargers, SLAM was appointed as the sole agent in Sri Lanka for ABB UPS Solutions in 2022, VICTRON Energy (Netherlands) products in 2022 for hybrid/off-grid and marine applications, ENERSYS (USA) Battery Storage Solutions in 2023 and an Authorised Distributor for JINKO PV Modules in 2023, making for SLAM to have complete portfolio in Solar, EV Charging & Energy Storage systems. Best Service Support arrangements with Talented & Experienced Engineers made the suppliers feel free to promote their products by protecting brand images through SLAM.

Founder of SLAM is the former manager of ABB Solar, EV Charging and UPS division, Eng. Manoj Tharaka, who is a graduated Electrical Engineer from University of Moratuwa, and currently following his Master Degree in Energy for Circular Economy in the same university. Also, he is an Associate Member of Institute of Engineers in Sri Lanka, ABB Certified Trainer, Field Service Engineer – Expert Level and Frontline Commissioning Engineer for EV Chargers. His main focus is on Customer Service and Satisfaction on offered products and services by SLAM. 

And his operational concepts focus on Sustainability in terms of Social, Environmental and Economic aspects, this made the current product portfolio of SLAM related to solar and EV charging which is the future of power and transportation saving environment while supporting economy by avoiding the dependency of imported fossil fuel. Due to these, he received “YS% ,xld PkrxPk” and “reyqKq msysá udhdNsudkS foaYysff;IS YS% ,xld mq;%” honour award by Sri Lanka Interfaith Harmony & Philanthropics Society on 3 August 2024.

With SLAM’s customer service support, they received the Platinum Award for “Best Customer Service Icon in Renewable Energy Industry in Sri Lanka under Large Company Category” from the Business World International Organization, USA on 17 May at Taj Samudra. This was as a result of their talented, experienced and professional service team with the only repair centre in Sri Lanka related to solar inverters.

Also, SLAM participated in the Techno 2023 Engineering Exhibition in Sri Lanka organised by the Institute of Engineers in Sri Lanka, under the theme of “Engineering for Regaining the Economy” held in BMICH, and won the Bronze Award for the Stall Displaying the Products with Highest Social Impact during Techno2023 award ceremony. 

Since principal suppliers of SLAM are mainly from Europe, they used to introduce new technologies in renewable energy sector to Sri Lanka. As a result, they have installed and commissioned the first industrial microgrid system in Sri Lanka for 300kW Solar, 80kW Protected Load and 160kWh Li-ion battery bank. This allows the customer Nienhuis Asia Ltd. to continue their factory operation uninterruptedly and with steady voltage and frequency for critical loads. After successful completion and operation, customer has granted SLAM to install another 350kW solar PV system at the same location.

Also, SLAM has a strong relationship with Universities with Engineering faculties in Sri Lanka, as they have installed hybrid solar PV systems to University of Ruhuna and South Eastern University, and Hybrid Retrofit system for University of Moratuwa, with FIMER & VICTRON inverters allowing programmable features for testing and research for learning. Recently SLAM has installed and commissioned the First Demand Response Pilot project in Sri Lanka along with partnering company Magicbits Ltd., under USAID Energy Program in University of Moratuwa. This allows better load management and more renewable energy integration efficiently under current situation.

With the advanced features of FIMER solar inverters, SLAM was able to introduce new features in solar PV integration by minimizing the loss of energy generation for customers while maintaining the grid stability. Rising grid voltage issue was frequently reported during COVID times, and prosumers were experiencing tripping of solar inverters due to grid over voltage due to less loads during those days. Then SLAM engineers along with the technical staffs of other solar companies have enabled Active Power control against frequency and Reactive Power Control against voltage features in ABB/FIMER solar inverters allowing to maintain grid stability while minimising the loss of generation of solar plants.

In terms of Service and Technical strengths of SLAM Service and Engineering team, they are the first to introduce Thermography survey to the solar service portfolio. As a result, they were able to enhance the preventive maintenance of solar PV systems and avoid fire risks to make sure the safety of equipment and personal. Conducting Thermography survey has been already successful and eliminated troubles in some of large solar PV plants in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, SLAM is fully equipped with quality testing and measuring devices for harmonic, earth resistance, insulation and other testing and measuring requirements. 

They operate the only repair centre for solar inverters in Sri Lanka continuing from ABB since 2018, by maintaining spare parts with ability to repair and return a damage inverter within one day for most of ABB/FIMER inverter models, with their talented and experienced technical and service team. With this service strength, SLAM is able to perform Troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis for any solar plant.

For EV Charging, SLAM is collaborating with several EV imported to supply EV chargers for residential application. SLAM has installed EV chargers for TRI-ZEN apartment recently and several other projects to be completed in near future. And they have developed their own software platform for EV users to experience advance features and global trends.

By moving faster and strongly in Solar & EV charging segments, SLAM has contributed more into Economic development of the country by minimising the dependence of imported fossil fuel. Also, SLAM has contributed more into the Social Development as they donated solar PV systems to several sacred places like Sinharaja Aranya Senasanya, Suriyakanda, Sri Piyarathanaramaya, Ratmalana and Sri Mahedraramaya, Panadura. 

And they donated dry food and school items to families in a rural area during difficult times. Then they supplied power supply equipment for the treatments of AGBO and made it successful too.

As a result of these quality contributions towards social, environmental and economic sustainability, SLAM received, “YS% ,xld jHdmdrdNsudks 

iaj¾K iïudkh” by Sri Lanka Interfaith Harmony & Philanthropic Society on 3 August, for providing a good service for Sri Lanka community by understanding the responsibility and building trust while operating beyond business objectives. 

With the young and intelligent staff of SLAM, they plan to make sure that the Solar PV Integration and EV Charging Infratructure Development in Sri Lanka to flow on the right path with best technologies and advance features, while contributing more for social and economic development of the country while conserving the environment and invite others to join hand for leading towards sustainability.