Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (TOKYO:5802) has received its first overseas commercial order for power line communication (PLC) string monitoring units from Germany's bes new Energy GmbH. Installed at a 5 MW existing solar power plant, these units are operational since October. The demand for replacing string monitoring units in European PV plants is rising due to operational issues arising from aging facilities. Sumitomo Electric's PLC technology enhances power generation efficiency, having already shipped over 10,000 units in Japan. The company aims to further innovate in PLC string monitoring units to support the transition to renewable energy.
Valens Semiconductor (NYSE: VLN) and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. have announced a collaboration to advance A-PHY technology in automotive applications. This partnership aims to align Sumitomo Electric's wiring harness systems with A-PHY specifications, enhancing the deployment of MIPI A-PHY technology in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems (ADS). Valens will integrate Sumitomo Electric's cables into its VA70XX customer evaluation kits, streamlining product development for OEMs. A-PHY is crucial for high-speed data transfer between automotive sensors and ECUs.