INS + Merit: Powering Rapid Growth in the Renewable Energy Market

Merit has been on a fast track since its founding, integrating NERC CIP compliant network solutions, PV+S control and SCADA systems into utility-scale renewable energy projects, particularly solar and battery storage. Based in New Jersey, Merit’s team ensures solar energy flows efficiently from generation sites to the grid and provides clients with real-time, actionable insights into energy production and distribution.

But rapid growth comes with increasing complexity. Simultaneous project commissioning, varying network configurations, and mixed-vendor systems were creating logistical and technical challenges. Merit needed more than a supplier. They needed a partner who could anticipate obstacles, deliver solutions quickly, and bring the same level of technical expertise at every step. For the past five years, that partner has been INS.

Keeping Merit Moving: Faster Deployments, Smarter Logistics

Merit’s expansion meant they were managing projects simultaneously, each with unique network requirements. With diverse switch configurations, gateways, SFP modules, owner requirements, and accessories, often spanning multiple manufacturers, lead times and logistics quickly became a challenge.

From day one, INS became an extension of Merit’s operations team. Our team stepped in to coordinate deliveries, manage shipments, and maintain ready-to-use inventory, reducing delays and enabling Merit to deploy networks faster than ever.

This was about more than shipping hardware—it was about creating operational agility. From coordinating deliveries and managing shipments to housing inventory on-site, INS ensured that Merit could move at the speed their projects demanded. By maintaining ready-to-go inventory, INS helped Merit reduce lead times, giving them the ability to deliver connections to clients faster than ever.

Turning Technical Complexity into Seamless Solutions

Merit’s projects involve integrating data from solar and battery storage systems into the broader energy grid, providing an HMI (Human Machine Interface) for local Operations as well as providing realtime data to local ISOs, utilities, and other offtakers. Each network must deliver accurate, real-time data to help clients make decisions about energy load, distribution, and efficiency. Often, these networks combine equipment from a variety of manufacturers. For other teams, this creates insurmountable compatibility challenges. For the INS team, it's another day "in the office.”

INS steps into this gap. We support Merit through design, configuration, and deployment, making mixed-vendor networks work reliably while maximizing security, redundancy, and performance. From recommending the latest hardware to optimizing system configurations, INS ensures Merit stays at the forefront of renewable energy technology.

Solving Critical Challenges Before They Become Crises

Merit often works under aggressive deadlines on projects with complex specifications and multi-vendor requirements, where even a small delay could cascade into major operational or financial impacts. One of the hallmarks of INS’s partnership with Merit is the ability to respond to those urgent, high-stakes challenges by providing options and expedited delivery of equipment.

In one recent case, a network required a specific switch almost immediately to stay on schedule. We coordinated with them, sourced the hardware, and sent it overnight for Saturday delivery. Our rapid response prevented significant delays and potential financial impact for their client.

It’s more than fast shipping. INS brings technical expertise and deep manufacturer relationships to anticipate issues, propose creative solutions, and execute them before they escalate—saving Merit time, reducing their costs and keeping each project on track. That proactive problem-solving gives Merit the confidence to take on complex, high-stakes projects without worrying about supply or configuration setbacks.

The Edge That Helps Merit Win

INS’s support extends beyond technical expertise. By leveraging our relationships with major manufacturers, we help Merit secure competitive pricing and customized solutions, strengthening their ability to win projects. Housing inventory at our facilities further accelerates deployment, allowing Merit to meet client demands faster and more cost-effectively.

Through these efforts, INS has supported Merit to solidify its position as a trusted and reliable leader in renewable energy integration. Trusted by the largest EPCs in the industry who use their patented, proven technology, Merit continues to expand, confident that INS can provide the hardware, support, and technical expertise required to scale without compromising quality.

From Great to Exceptional: Going Beyond Standard Solutions

Merit’s team excels in cybersecurity, network architecture, and integration. INS enhances that expertise by providing practical, field-tested guidance. We get to experiment, test, and implement creative solutions that help Merit integrate mixed-vendor systems in ways that increase redundancy and resiliency. 

INS also brings a consultative approach to every engagement. We guide Merit through new technologies, provide insights on design improvements, and offer alternative methods to achieve project goals efficiently. This collaborative dynamic strengthens Merit’s ability to deliver reliable, state-of-the-art control systems to their clients.

INS’s role has evolved from vendor to trusted partner, providing comprehensive support across technical, logistical, and commercial dimensions. Our combination of fast turnaround, inventory management, competitive pricing, and deep technical expertise allows Merit to focus on what they do best: designing innovative control systems and delivering advanced integrated solutions that promote long-term customer value.

“Merit is already fantastic at their craft. Our job is to enhance that—to fill in the gaps, provide solutions in challenging scenarios, and make sure they have access to the right hardware and guidance at the right time.”

–Joe Moore, SVP of Sales and Marketing, INS

By combining INS’s strengths with Merit’s expertise, the partnership ensures renewable energy projects are deployed efficiently, reliably, and at scale. Together, we’re proud to help make the power grid smarter, more efficient, and better equipped to handle the demands of a clean energy future.

Discover how INS can help your team tackle complex networks, reduce lead times, and scale operations with confidence.

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