SolarHive
Helping Users Connect To Local Solar Farms.
Helping Users Connect To Local Solar Farms.
7 min read
Timeline
Timeline
September 2023 - October 2023
September 2023 - October 2023
Team
Team
Independent
Independent
My Role
My Role
Visual Design, UX Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Visual Design, UX Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Tools
Tools
Figma, FigJam, After Effects, Illustrator, Notion
Figma, FigJam, After Effects, Illustrator, Notion
Overview
Overview
SolarHive is a mobile app that helps users tap into community solar. Instead of installing rooftop panels, users subscribe to nearby solar farms that feed into the local grid. In return, they earn energy credits that lower their monthly utility bills.
SolarHive simplifies this process by helping users discover available solar farms, compare plans, connect their utility accounts, and track savings, and all of this in one place. We designed it for renters and homeowners who want clean energy but face barriers like cost, space, or confusion.
SolarHive is a mobile app that helps users tap into community solar. Instead of installing rooftop panels, users subscribe to nearby solar farms that feed into the local grid. In return, they earn energy credits that lower their monthly utility bills.
SolarHive simplifies this process by helping users discover available solar farms, compare plans, connect their utility accounts, and track savings, and all of this in one place. We designed it for renters and homeowners who want clean energy but face barriers like cost, space, or confusion.
THE PROBLEM
Solar Energy is great, but it’s out of reach for many people
Solar Energy is great, but it’s out of reach for many people
Solar energy is expensive, complicated, and still out of reach for many. Most people can’t install rooftop panels because of high upfront costs, roof issues, or they are renting.
As part of the IU Grand Challenge on environmental change, we saw an opportunity here: make solar energy accessible without needing to install anything.
Right now, there’s low awareness about community solar. Even though it lets people subscribe to local solar farms and earn credits on their bill. The process is confusing and scattered, and not designed with the everyday user in mind.
Solar energy is expensive, complicated, and still out of reach for many. Most people can’t install rooftop panels because of high upfront costs, roof issues, or they are renting.
As part of the IU Grand Challenge on environmental change, we saw an opportunity here: make solar energy accessible without needing to install anything.
Right now, there’s low awareness about community solar. Even though it lets people subscribe to local solar farms and earn credits on their bill. The process is confusing and scattered, and not designed with the everyday user in mind.
THE SOLUTION
A fresh approach to social experience
A fresh approach to social experience
We designed SolarHive, a mobile app that makes community solar easy to access and understand.
Instead of installing panels, users can link their utility account, subscribe to local solar farms, and earn monthly energy credits, all through the app.
No installations. No paperwork. Just a simpler way to go solar.
We designed SolarHive, a mobile app that makes community solar easy to access and understand.
Instead of installing panels, users can link their utility account, subscribe to local solar farms, and earn monthly energy credits, all through the app.
No installations. No paperwork. Just a simpler way to go solar.
SolarHive
Green Energy Made Simple
Connect to local solar farms, rent panels, and effortlessly power your home with clean energy.
Empower Your Savings
Save money on your electricity bill by generating renewable energy through solar panels leased from solar farms.
Hassle-free experience
Forget maintenance, installation, and space worries. Generate solar energy via solar farms, and channel it to your grid.
Get started
SolarHive
Green Energy Made Simple
Connect to local solar farms, rent panels, and effortlessly power your home with clean energy.
Empower Your Savings
Save money on your electricity bill by generating renewable energy through solar panels leased from solar farms.
Hassle-free experience
Forget maintenance, installation, and space worries. Generate solar energy via solar farms, and channel it to your grid.
Get started
01
Find Solar Farms Near You
Find Solar Farms Near You
Users can browse nearby solar farms, see what plans they offer, and pick one that fits your energy needs and budget.
Users can browse nearby solar farms, see what plans they offer, and pick one that fits your energy needs and budget.
02
Link Your Utility Account
Link Your Utility Account
Users can connect their utility account so the app track real-time consumption, give personalized plan recommendations and apply your solar credits automatically.
Users can connect their utility account so the app track real-time consumption, give personalized plan recommendations and apply your solar credits automatically.
03
See How Much You’re Saving
See How Much You’re Saving
The app has a dashboard that shows how many credits users have earned, how they're applied to their bill, and how much they’re saving monthly.
The app has a dashboard that shows how many credits users have earned, how they're applied to their bill, and how much they’re saving monthly.
04
Track Your Impact
Track Your Impact
Users can track their positive environmental impact over time, like emissions reduced or energy offset.
Users can track their positive environmental impact over time, like emissions reduced or energy offset.
05
Change Plans Anytime
Change Plans Anytime
Plans can be paused, updated, or switched directly from the app, giving users control without needing to call providers or deal with paperwork.
Plans can be paused, updated, or switched directly from the app, giving users control without needing to call providers or deal with paperwork.
Key insights from listening to users
I started my research by analyzing trends from competitors as well as conducting some user interviews. This helped me better understand what users truly needed. The key themes that emerged were
100 %
100 %
agreed that the app could be more vibrant.
78 %
78 %
wanted to see songs their friends were listening to.
67 %
felt their profiles didn’t reflect their music identity
felt their profiles didn’t reflect their music identity
initial problem discovery
Why is this a problem?
Why is this a problem?
I made a brand identity prism from my analysis of Spotify's brand. This framework helped me understand how users perceive Spotify and how it can evolve and gave me a clearer design direction for the project.
I made a brand identity prism from my analysis of Spotify's brand. This framework helped me understand how users perceive Spotify and how it can evolve and gave me a clearer design direction for the project.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
50%
People can't install panels
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
Values that define Spotify
Values that define Spotify
I referred to Spotify’s values to understand the brand’s voice and culture. This gave me a foundation for crafting questions and make decisions that aligned with Spotify’s intent.
I referred to Spotify’s values to understand the brand’s voice and culture. This gave me a foundation for crafting questions and make decisions that aligned with Spotify’s intent.
Collaborative
Innovative
Passionate
Sincere
Playful
Collaborative
Innovative
Passionate
Sincere
Playful
Collaborative
Innovative
Passionate
Sincere
Playful
Listening to users
Listening to users
Using the prism and values as a base, I conducted interviews and surveys to learn how people actually use Spotify. Particularly- how they listen, share music, and connect (or don’t) with others on the platform.
Using the prism and values as a base, I conducted interviews and surveys to learn how people actually use Spotify. Particularly- how they listen, share music, and connect (or don’t) with others on the platform.
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Listening Habits
Social Needs & Frustrations
Profile Personalization
Sharing & Interaction
Discovery & Community
Key insights that emerged
Key insights that emerged
From these conversations, these are the key insights:
From these conversations, these are the key insights:
78 %
78 %
wanted to see songs their friends were listening to.
67 %
felt their profiles didn’t reflect their music identity
felt their profiles didn’t reflect their music identity
100 %
100 %
agreed that the app could be more vibrant.
Objectives
Questions that drove my design thinking
Questions that drove my design thinking
These insights led to a few core questions that shaped my direction:
These insights led to a few core questions that shaped my direction:
How can I help users feel more connected through shared music experiences?
How can I help users feel more connected through shared music experiences?
What if profiles could become a space for personal expression and identity?
What if profiles could become a space for personal expression and identity?
What kind of branding can make Spotify appear more vibrant and engaging while staying intuitive?
What kind of branding can make Spotify appear more vibrant and engaging while staying intuitive?