What's The SECRET to CPS America's Success? Tyler Anderson Explains | EP287

Today on the Clean Power Hour, Tim Montague interviews Tyler Anderson of Phase Two about solar O&M and engineering services. In this brief but informative conversation, Tyler shares insights about his company's focus on commercial and industrial solar projects.

Company Focus

Tyler explains that Phase Two specializes in "C&I focused" services, including "consulting system design, third party quality control and a little bit of O&M." Their projects range from 50kW up to about eight megawatts, primarily serving Midwest markets including Iowa, Illinois, and Texas.

CPS America Insights

When asked about CPS inverters, Tyler identifies several key strengths: "bankable means simple system designs, nice power classes" and mentions they frequently use "the 50 kW, 60 kW on flat roof mounts." He particularly emphasizes CPS's "really good customer support," noting they've been very "happy with that."

Key Inverter Selection Criteria

Tyler reveals what he looks for when selecting inverters for projects:

• Company history
• UL 3741 compliance, which he notes is "a really big thing" currently
• After-service support
• Failure rate

Primary Customer Base

Phase II's primary customers are "electrical contractors that are trying to get into solar" - particularly well-established companies with decades of experience. Tyler notes these established electrical contractors "should be moving into the solar markets."

Industry Connections

Tyler gives a special mention to CPS team members Evan and Faviola, whom he interfaces with most frequently.

This conversation provides a concise look at the commercial solar landscape from the perspective of a service provider helping traditional electrical contractors transition into the growing renewable energy sector.

Connect with Tyler Anderson

LinkedIn: Tyler Anderson

Website: Phase 2

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The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

Episode Transcript

Tyler Anderson (00:00):
Um, when you think of CPS, though, what is it
that comes to mind? It's abankable means simple system
designs, nice power glasses. Imean, we use a lot of the 50 kW,
60 kW on flat roof mounts.
Actually really good customersupport. I've been happy with
that.

intro (00:18):
Are you speeding the energy transition here at the
Clean Power Hour, our host, TimMontague, bring you the best in
solar, batteries and cleantechnologies every week. Want to
go deeper into decarbonization.
We do too. We're here to helpyou understand and command the
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industries. So let's get to ittogether, we can speed the

(00:40):
energy transition.

Tim Montague (00:45):
All right, we're here at inner solar, and we're
here today to talk about solar Oand M and engineering services.
My guest is Tyler Anderson ofphase two. Welcome to the show,
Tyler, yeah, thanks for havingme. Good to see you again, man.
Yeah, good to see you. I thinkwe were, we were geeking out at

(01:08):
the ISEA event not too long ago,right? And you and I described
my services, and you were like,Well, you're the first person
I've met who overlaps with whatI do. But tell us, what is it
that you do? Tyler, sure.

Tyler Anderson (01:24):
So we do so C and I focused. We're consulting
system design, third partyquality control and a little bit

Tim Montague (01:34):
of O and M. And what size systems are you
working on?

Tyler Anderson (01:37):
Really, everything down to 50 kW, up to
about eight megawatts. Okay,

Tim Montague (01:42):
so I would call that DG. It qualifies. And what
regions of the country are youworking in most? Primarily

Tyler Anderson (01:49):
the Midwest.
Might say, Iowa, Illinois,Texas, actually,

Tim Montague (01:55):
yeah, Iowa, Illinois, Texas, Yep, those are
three very good markets. Well,at least Illinois and Texas. I
don't know about Iowa. I was, Ilive there. I was more utility
scale as far as the solarindustry goes, right? They don't
have a good, a strong DG marketthere yet. Yeah, yeah, okay, the
rates are getting up there. Sowhat is it that brought you to

(02:17):
the chip boot today?

Tyler Anderson (02:19):
Really checking out new products interested in
the battery lines that arecoming out, some of the new
higher voltage AC.

Tim Montague (02:28):
When you think of CPS, though, what is it that
comes to mind? Because, youknow, there's a lot of a lot of
inverters on the market. CPSdoes have a significant market
share in three phase string. Butwhat is it that different CPS?
In your mind?

Tyler Anderson (02:44):
I'd say bankable means simple system designs,
nice power classes. I mean, weuse a lot of the 50 kW, 60 kW on
flat roof mounts. Actuallyreally good customer support.
We've been happy with that.

Tim Montague (03:00):
What is it that you look for when you're
thinking about designing aninverter into a project? What is
it that makes you choose oneproduct over another? I'd

Tyler Anderson (03:10):
say company history, actually, UL 3741
compliance right now. I mean,that's been a really big thing,
yeah. And really just afterservice support, I would say is
another one. Failure rateactually is another one.

Tim Montague (03:23):
What is a good failure rate in the three phase
string inverter market? That's agood question.

Tyler Anderson (03:29):
I don't know.
What is that running these days?
How about 00?

Tim Montague (03:33):
Is great. That would be a fantastic but
unrealistic number. Yeah, Iwould agree that CPS is well
known for its service. That'sreally the number one
differentiator. You get a humanon the phone, you get to know
the humans. They actually pickup, right? And they do what they
say they're going to do. Whatelse should we know about your

(03:55):
work? Tyler, and what else areyou here for at dinner? Solar,
I'd

Tyler Anderson (03:58):
say actually our primary, let's see, our primary
customers are really electricalcontractors that are trying to
get into solar that aren't, butthey're well established. I
mean, 50 year old electricalthat's

Tim Montague (04:10):
where we would overlap, yeah, exactly.

Tyler Anderson (04:14):
I mean, they're great. I mean, they should be
moving into the solar markets.

Tim Montague (04:18):
Exactly. Yep. Do you want to give a shout out to
anybody here at CPS?

Tyler Anderson (04:24):
Let's see Evan's great faviola is great, like I
interface with those two themost.

Tim Montague (04:31):
Yeah, Evan up, sure, he's been on the show.
Fabiola has been on the show. Sotwo great characters there.
Well, thanks for joining us. AndI'll just say, let's grow solar.
I'm Tim Montague, you.