This is Part 5 of a 6 part series recorded live at RE+ Boston with the team at CPS.
Community solar and commercial energy storage are two of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. solar industry. At RE+ Northeast in Boston, Tim Montague sits down with Brian Baxter, Director of Sales East at CPS America, to discuss how new solar and storage technologies are helping developers and installers build projects faster, safer, and more efficiently.
Brian explains how skidded string inverter solutions can significantly reduce installation time and labor costs by delivering a fully integrated equipment package that can be assembled off-site and quickly deployed in the field. These skidded systems combine the flexibility of string inverters with the speed and simplicity of centralized solutions.
The conversation also dives into the rapidly growing commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage market. CPS America has introduced a fully integrated energy storage system that combines inverters and batteries into a single package, simplifying installation and commissioning. Brian also discusses the importance of safety standards such as CSA 800 and UL 9540, which represent the highest levels of fire safety certification currently available for commercial energy storage systems.
Tim and Brian explore real-world applications for solar plus storage, including community solar projects and commercial sites where energy storage can help reduce demand charges and improve project economics. They also discuss how CPS works with developers and EPCs to properly size systems for specific project needs and how current equipment lead times are enabling faster deployment across the market.
Topics covered include skidded string inverter architecture, the advantages of modular inverter design for O&M, integrated solar plus storage solutions, demand charge savings, safety certifications for battery systems, and the expanding role of energy storage in the U.S. solar market.
Brian Baxter has been with CPS America for seven years and leads sales efforts across the Eastern United States. CPS America is a leading supplier of commercial string inverters, solar power electronics, and integrated energy storage solutions for commercial, community solar, and utility-scale projects.
If you work in solar development, installation, engineering, or project finance, this episode offers practical insight into the technologies shaping the next generation of solar and storage projects.
Learn more about CPS America at chintpowersystems.com
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Keywords: Clean Power Hour, solar industry, energy storage, community solar, CPS America, skidded solar solutions, string inverters, commercial solar products, C&I energy storage, solar plus storage, CSA 800 certification, UL 9540, installation speed, O&M advantages, demand charge savings, commercial solar developers, solar EPC, energy storage market.
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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 10GW 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 350kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. CPS America has offices in California, New Jersey, and Texas. Learn more at https://www.chintpowersystems.com/
