National Semiconductor's SolarMagic Chipset Makes Solar Panels "Smarter" / In-Panel Electronics Enable Module and Junction Box Manufacturers to Integrate Award-Winning Power Optimizer Technology

Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany (ots) - National Semiconductor Corp.
(NYSE:NSM), a leader in the design and manufacture of
high-performance analog semiconductors, today introduced the solar
industry's first in-panel SolarMagic(tm) ( http://www.solarmagic.com
) chipset, marking the advent of a new category of solar systems:
"smart panels."

Whereas solar panels today are prone to underperform due to
conditions such as age, mismatch and shade, smart panels incorporate
advanced electronics to harvest the maximum energy from a solar
system. National and its partners will demonstrate SolarMagic smart
panels at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany, June 9-11, 2010.
Visit National Semiconductor in Hall B5, Booth #429.

The SM3320 SolarMagic smart panel chipset is the most recent
addition to National's award-winning SolarMagic product line and
provides junction box and module manufacturers with the "smarts" to
ensure the highest efficiency and return on investment for solar
system owners. By coupling more energy production with a lower
balance of systems cost, the SM3320 provides solar system owners a
high-performance solution at the lowest cost per kilowatt-hour.

"By introducing the first in-panel smart electronics to the solar
market, we are keeping with a five decades long tradition of
developing the category-defining products that shape an industry,"
said Mike Polacek, senior vice president of National's Key Market
Segments Group. "National Semiconductor has been embedded in the
solar industry since its inception. Already, our power management
electronics are used in nearly two-thirds of the inverter and
junction box market and we currently have more than 100 MW of solar
systems under SolarMagic monitoring and management. The development
of smart panels builds on what National does best - smart power
management electronics - to enable higher efficiency, more robust
solar systems."

Technical Features of National's SM3320 SolarMagic Smart Panel
Chipset

National's 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 provides an innovative solution to long standing
problems with solar arrays and their design. Real-world problems
lead to mismatch in solar systems, significantly reducing the power
output of an array. 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.

For the first time, National reveals the "magic" inside
SolarMagic. Launched into the market in May 2009, National's original
award-winning SolarMagic power optimizer was a standalone system,
which can be attached to existing or new solar installations. Now,
National is also embedding SolarMagic power optimizer benefits as a
chipset directly into junction boxes, which already reside on all
solar panels. Packaged as a complete board-level system or available
as a chipset, National's SM3320 incorporates ten proprietary analog
and mixed-signal integrated circuits, providing highly reliable
digital-control combined with analog sensing and communication.
Proprietary algorithms apply localized maximum power point tracking
(MPPT), extracting the maximum energy available by translating the
input voltage and current to the best output voltage and current pair
to maximize energy flow. The SM3320 is cognitive: the system senses
input voltage and current throughout the array and adjusts to achieve
optimum string levels.

The SM3320 includes a highly integrated, 99.5 percent efficient,
350 Watt tri-mode power converter. To achieve maximum energy harvest,
the SM3320 can either boost, pass-through or lower the voltage of
each panel. Options include fire safety panel shut-off and a set of
sophisticated safety mechanisms. The SM3320 is released to market
with UL and CE component-level certification and is in volume
production.

The board-level system, measuring 5 by 3.5 by 0.5 inches (L x W x
H in cm: 12,7 x 8,9 x 1,2) and weighing approximately 6.4 ounces (180
g), easily fits into a solar panel junction box. It is currently
being integrated into junction box and module-level partners with
their product releases starting at Intersolar Europe and continuing
through the rest of the year.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/SM3320 .

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for National's SM3320-1A1 board-level system and
SM3320-REF chipset is based on the solar industry standard measure of
dollar-per-watt. National's SM3320 is available now and is priced at
less than 12 cents per watt, depending on volume. For more
information about National's SolarMagic products or to place an
order, visit http://www.solarmagic.com

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of
this product, visit National's photo gallery at
http://www.national.com/analog/pressroom/gallery

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.

For further reader inquiries: europe.support@nsc.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.

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Media Contact
Solveig Loesch
PR Manager Europe
National Semiconductor
Tel: +49 (0) 81 4135 1443
Solveig.loesch@nsc.com