Some companies provide “information,” and others make “stuff.” Looking at the S&P 500, only seven companies that provide information account for nearly ⅓ of the market capitalization of all 500 companies in the index.

Information provides value, which is why the PowerBloc uses and produces a lot of data and analysis. This information allows us to troubleshoot the PowerBloc remotely.

Recently, we found that two batteries connected to one TWIN™ bidirectional converter at a PowerBloc at a customer in Calistoga did not charge or discharge. The system data analysis revealed that the module believed the emergency stop was engaged and, correctly, refused to do anything. However, the emergency stop had not been pressed, and the only source of the problem could be a partially defective communications wire.

Sophie Leitner at a PowerBloc in an outdoor cabinet after replacing a communications cable.

Remote troubleshooting means that Sophie Leitner, the 10-year-old daughter of YouSolar’s founder, could carry out a service call when she joined her father on a customer visit after school.

Like any PowerBloc service provider, she did not have to know much about the PowerBloc and only had to replace a communications cable. Information matters.