SolarHive
A mobile application that helps users connect to local solar farms, rent solar panels, and earn solar credits to minimize their carbon footprint and lower their energy expenses.
As a part of the IU Grand challenge, the goal of our project was to create a solution for the 'Prepared for Environmental Change' Challenge.
Role
Responsible for end-to-end research, conceptualization, design and Usability testing
Timeline
August 2023- October 2023
Project type
Mobile Application
Initial Problem Discovery
What problem are we trying to solve?
Transitioning to solar energy, while beneficial in the long run, comes with its own set of challenges. The initial investment can be substantial, and it may take years to break even from the investment. Despite these challenges, the shift towards renewable energy sources like solar is a crucial step in combating climate change and preserving our planet for future generations.
Why is this problem important?
The problem of transitioning to solar energy is important because it directly impacts our ability to mitigate climate change. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record, and each of the last four decades has been warmer than any previous decade since 1850, says UN.
75%
of the global greenhouse gas emissions are from Fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas. - un.org
200 million
people will be affected by rising sea levels by 2100. statista.com
99%
of coral reefs will be lost if we exceed 2 degrees Celsius of warming. - un.org
Understanding target audience
Whose problem are we solving?
Individual house owners and renters who are interested in transitioning to solar energy but face barriers due to space constraints, high upfront costs and lack of knowledge.
According to a survey by Forbes Home, 48% of respondents said they plan to install solar panels in the future. However, 36% of these respondents cited upfront costs as the main deterrent to installing solar panels.
A survey by FranklinWH Energy Storage found that while nearly three in four Americans (73%) agree that solar energy is a good investment for their homes, a lack of knowledge is preventing them from taking the next step.
Empathize
What did we do?
Primary and Secondary Research
Interviews
We conducted a total of 9 interviews.
We decided to interview 2 user groups, to understand people’s approach to energy consumption in their own houses and how apartment deals with their energy consumption which is on a much larger scale.
These 2 groups were
1. An Individual house owner who has been living in the USA for the least a few years and owns a house.
2. A Manager of an Apartment building who manages a large building complex.
Observations
We conducted observations to understand people’s energy savings habits, Info-sessions on Renewable Energy in Indiana Corporate Energy Offices eg. AES
Observation notes
What did we take away from our Research
High Upfront Cost
Installing solar panels can be initially expensive, covering costs like solar panels, inverters, batteries (for energy storage), and installation labor.
Lack of Knowledge
Limited awareness about solar energy systems, their benefits, and available options can discourage potential adopters due to a lack of knowledge.
Space Constraints
Limited space for solar panels, especially for renters or individuals with small properties, poses challenges due to considerations like shading, roof conditions, and panel orientation.
Hassle of Maintenance & Servicing
Solar panels are typically low-maintenance but need occasional cleaning and inspections to maintain efficiency.
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Solution
The Solution
Proposed Solution
SolarHive
SolarHive is a mobile application that assist users in discovering nearby community solar projects tailored to their energy consumption and specific requirements, enabling them to gain the advantages of solar energy.
Multiple farms on one single platform
Subscribe to a plan
Track panel performance
Check environmental impact
Track cost savings
Link to your utility account
The Concept
Community Solar
How does it work?
01
Image reference-
https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/go-solar/community-solar/how-community-solar-works/
Users can lease solar panels from a solar farm in their vicinity which is connected to the same grid as them.
02
Once subscribed, users receive utility credits for their purchased share of the energy generated by the solar farm.
03
The energy credits users purchase are reflected on their monthly utility bill, and can save them 5 - 15% annually.
Opportunity Spaces
How are we addressing the problems we identified?
High Upfront Cost
SolarHive enables users to subscribe to energy generated by solar panels, eliminating the need to invest in personal solar panels.
Lack of Knowledge
SolarHive solves the problem by simplifying the process for users. It eliminates the need for extensive research by connecting users directly to existing solar farms and their subscription options.
Space Constraints
Users don't need their own space for solar panels; solar farms manage the installation, utilizing shaded land with optimal panel orientation for efficiency.
Hassle of Maintenance & Servicing
Users can enjoy the benefits of solar panels without worrying about maintenance or servicing, as this is handled by the solar farms themselves, reducing hassle and ensuring optimal panel performance.
Information Architecture
Design Explorations & Iterations
Paper Wireframes
Mid-fidelity Wireframes
Usability Testing
Methods
To evaluate our prototype with potential users, each of us performed heuristic assessments and individual think-aloud sessions. The objective was to pinpoint potential usability issues and gain insights into users' thought processes while they engaged with our prototype.
The two tasks that we chose to evaluate were-
-
Getting on-boarded on the app includes selecting a plan, paying for it, and coming back to the home screen)
-
Redeeming solar credits
Self Evaluation
To self-evaluate, we performed a heuristic evaluation of our product for two tasks using Nielsen Norman Group's 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design principles. This method allowed us to gain a fresh perspective, identifying potential user issues before prototype testing
Think-aloud sessions
To better understand and evaluate our designs from the eye of the potential users using our solution, we conducted think-aloud sessions with 5 users. To test the system's usability, we asked users to explore the application by completing the 2 predefined tasks.
Key Evaluation Insights
We were able to identify some major and some minor usability issues during these evaluations.
Self Evaluation
Help and support options should be clearly visible and available on the important screens.
Need a confirmation screen before the user redeems credits, to avoid accidental financial loss.
Think aloud sessions
A few participants expressed the need for more information before subscribing to plans, particularly because the concept was new to them.
One of the participants highlighted issues related to the inability to select a utility provider and the need for more comprehensive details about solar farms and plans.
After finishing the task, one of the participants was worried about how to change the plan if needed.
One of the participants highlighted the necessity for additional information about credits.
Visual Guide
Moodboard
Color Palette
Primary Color
#4EAB33
Secondary Colors
#F2FAEF
#EDF5FC
#EDF5FC
Font Colors
#181818
#4D4D4D
Iconography
Final Designs
Onboarding
SolarHive locates nearby solar farms that offer community solar services by collecting location information.
Users can link their SolarHive account to AES or other utility accounts to generate accurate data regarding their energy consumption and environmental impact.
This integration facilitates the transfer of solar credits, ensuring they are applied to users' monthly electricity bills.
Selecting a Solar Farm and Plan
Users have the option to explore various community solar projects in proximity to their locations, allowing them to assess different farms and the plans they offer.
This feature enables users to compare different farms and the plans they offer, allowing them to make informed decisions and choose the most suitable match for their needs.
Energy Data and Environmental Impact
Users can access comprehensive data on the energy generated by their share, including daily, weekly, and monthly insights, directly from the dashboard.
This information includes details about the credits they have received. Additionally, users can explore the environmental impact of their decision to switch to solar energy, gaining a deeper understanding of the positive contribution they are making to the environment.
Redeeming Solar Credits
Users receive solar credits corresponding to the energy generated by their share in the solar farm on a Daily, Weekly, and Monthly basis.
The platform provides a comprehensive view of their savings, including redeemed and remaining credits.
Additionally, users have the flexibility to choose whether to redeem all or a portion of their credits. Since their SolarHive account is linked to their utility account, the redeemed credits seamlessly reflect on their monthly utility bill.
Future Directions
01 User-Centric Testing
Further usability tests using think-aloud sessions and observations within focus groups comprising our target audience will be conducted to refine user experience
02 Environmental impact
Expand features for comparing long-term environmental impact, and other factors across a variety of renewable options beyond community solar.
03 Expert Evaluation
Involve sustainability experts and practitioners to assess the app, leveraging their insights to improve its relevance and effectiveness in the realm of community solar projects. Identify ways to augment the app's value in supporting sustainability objectives.
04 Collaborating with energy companies
Explore partnerships with utilities, solar providers, and community organizations to increase visibility of the app and access to solar subscription data. Collaborations could enable features like automated data feeds and streamlined signup.
Team
Atharva Sakharkar
Avishkar Shinde
Mohini Gaikwad
