App Development

Solar planning system

Real-Time Energy Insights for Solar System Owners

As a UX designer, I embarked on a project to address the challenges faced by owners of solar systems regarding their energy production and consumption. Solar system owners often find themselves uncertain about how much power they generate and use, as well as their reliance on solar power versus municipal power. This issue becomes particularly pressing during energy crises and unpredictable weather conditions.

The project aims to provide clarity and control to solar system owners by developing a user interface that delivers real-time insights into their energy usage. The focus is on helping users understand their energy production and consumption patterns more clearly. Additionally, the project seeks to assist users in making informed decisions about their energy use and planning for varying conditions, ultimately enhancing their overall experience with their solar systems.

Role
UX designer
Team
Sole
Duration
May 2024

Problem statement

"Alex is a tech savvy user who wants to know what power his home uses solar power it brings because he wants to know if there is enough solar power for his appliances."

User personas

Alex 41

Occupation: Software Engineer

Frustrations
: Alex is frustrated by the lack of advanced technological solutions available in the solar energy market. He finds it challenging to find a solar app that meets his expectations for data analytics, customization, and integration with smart home devices.

Goals
: Alex's primary goal is to optimize his home's energy efficiency and reduce his reliance on the grid by incorporating solar panels and smart energy management systems. He seeks innovative solutions that allow him to control and monitor his energy usage remotely.

Sarah 50

Occupation: Business Owner/Property Manager

Frustrations: Sarah is frustrated by the rising operating costs of her commercial properties and the environmental impact of traditional energy sources. She finds it challenging to navigate the complexities of solar energy adoption for commercial buildings and lacks access to reliable information and resources.

Goals: Sarah's primary goal is to enhance the sustainability credentials of her properties and attract environmentally conscious tenants by incorporating solar energy solutions. She seeks cost-effective and scalable options that offer long-term financial benefits and positive environmental outcomes.

Goal statement

Our Smart Solar App will let users know when they can use their appliances
Which will affect when home owners use power By showing when they have most solar input power.
We will measure effectiveness by tracking a decline in municipal electricity used trough the app.

App goals

- Provide users with insights into their power generation
- Offer users clear information on their power consumption
- Display the energy usage of individual appliances
- Offer tips on how to reduce power consumption
- Integrate weather forecasts with projected power input

User flows and wireframes

During the user flow phase, we focused heavily on making the process of connecting a new device easy and user-friendly. This is especially important because it is one of the first tasks a user must complete before the app can be used for its main function.

Hi-fi mockups

The branding colors have been slightly adjusted in consultation with SAM SAM to improve accessibility. A neutral background was also chosen to keep the app calm and organized.

The main feature now has clear, large buttons to ensure they are easy to find and use. The forecast uses candles to indicate how much energy will be produced.

Figma prototype

During the creation and testing of the prototype, we discovered that there is still work to be done to make the appliance checker more intuitive. It became clear that we need to improve the clarification of which appliances are already in use and which appliances are not yet in use but need to be checked for sufficient power.

The solar forecast works very well, and the summary provides the user with a quick and easy overview.

Explore My Other Projects

Let's get in touch! 

Thank you for visiting my portfolio! Whether you have a question, a project proposal, or just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the form below and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Let's create something amazing together!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Thank you for exploring my work. Let's stay connected and create exceptional user experiences together.