The Problem

Solar ownership is exciting in many ways! However, anxiety over affordability & schism of environmental impact keeps homeowners from believing their investment is worth while.

For simplicity, this case study will be focused on the ownership experience in the greater solar experience. This where most management, financial, & enviromental concerns exist for new owners.

The Challenge

Make solar energy easy to understand as well as make it clear how this investment is performing on a regular basis. Lastly, make a UI clear and flexible for the more technical users who may want to get details.

User discovery & definitions: Two Motivated User Archetypes

These users find elements of energy production, such as Kilowatt Hours, to be to advance and not relevant for them to understand how it impacts the enironment

These users don’t feel like they have the information justify their purchase. This user manually calculates their savings by comparing old energy bills to the energy created, used, or sold by their solar array.

Common Themes

Both user archetypes ask themselves “was this worth it” As they are not a weigh the impact of energy production against their finacial or their sustainablity goals.

First Sketches

For simplicity, this case study will be focused on the ownership experience in the greater solar experience. This where most management, financial, & enviromental concerns exist for new owners.

What Was The Impact?

Learnings & Next Steps

User Education is Vital for Renewable Energy Adoption:
Customers needed clear guidance on the benefits of solar energy and how the system integrates with their home, emphasizing the importance of accessible and engaging educational materials.

Real-Time Monitoring Drives Engagement:
Providing users with real-time insights into energy production and consumption encouraged more active engagement and a sense of empowerment with their solar systems.

Clear ROI Metrics Build Trust:
Transparency in showing cost savings, energy offsets, and environmental impact helped build customer trust and confidence in their investment.

Expand Usability Testing for Monitoring Tools:
Test the solar monitoring interface with users to ensure clarity and usability, focusing on features like energy usage patterns and predictive savings.

Integrate Data Across Platforms:
Ensure seamless integration of solar system data with other smart home systems to provide a unified user experience.

Enhance Support Channels:
Expand support options, such as live chat or video tutorials, to assist users with troubleshooting and system maintenance.