Avishkar Shinde
UX Designer
SolarHive
SolarHive
Helping Users Join and Save with Community Solar
Helping Users Join and Save with Community Solar
7 min read
7 min read
Timeline
September 2023 - October 2023
Timeline
September 2023 - October 2023
Team
2 UX Researcher, 1 UI Designer
Team
2 UX Researcher, 1 UI Designer
My Role
Product Design, UX Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing
My Role
Product Design, UX Research, Prototyping, Usability Testing
Tools
Figma, FigJam, After Effects, Illustrator, Notion
Tools
Figma, FigJam, After Effects, Illustrator, Notion
Overview
Overview
I led the design and direction of SolarHive, a product concept that makes it easier for renters and homeowners without suitable rooftops to harness solar energy through Community Solar.
I oversaw market research, user interviews, and expert consultation to identify challenges and opportunities for solar adoption. Then I helped translate these insights into a clear design direction, which finally evolved into SolarHive.
We then prototyped key flows and the design in Figma, and then validated them through usability testing to refine our final product.
I led the design and direction of SolarHive, a product concept that makes it easier for renters and homeowners without suitable rooftops to harness solar energy through Community Solar.
I oversaw market research, user interviews, and expert consultation to identify challenges and opportunities for solar adoption. Then I helped translate these insights into a clear design direction, which finally evolved into SolarHive.
We then prototyped key flows and the design in Figma, and then validated them through usability testing to refine our final product.
THE PROBLEM
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
Despite growing interests, solar energy remains inaccessible for many people. Most U.S. households can't install rooftop solar due to cost, rental constraints, or unsuitable roofs. There are other options like Community Solar, but they are lack visibility and user-friendly access.
We saw an opportunity here to make solar energy accessible without any installations or huge upfront costs.
Despite growing interests, solar energy remains inaccessible for many people. Most U.S. households can't install rooftop solar due to cost, rental constraints, or unsuitable roofs. There are other options like Community Solar, but they are lack visibility and user-friendly access.
We saw an opportunity here to make solar energy accessible without any installations or huge upfront costs.
our SOLUTION
A simpler way to go solar
A simpler way to go solar
SolarHive makes community solar easy to access and understand.
Users can subscribe to local solar farms, receive bill credits from their share of energy, and track savings and impact, all through the app.
This is how it works:
SolarHive makes community solar easy to access and understand.
Users can subscribe to local solar farms, receive bill credits from their share of energy, and track savings and impact, all through the app.
This is how it works:
Step 1
Discover Local
Solar Farms
Rent panels from nearby community solar farms.
Farm 1
Greenwood, IN
View Details
Farm 2
Carmel, IN
View Details
Farm 3
Carmel, IN
View Details
Farm 4
Carmel, IN
View Details
Proceed (Farm 1 Selected)
Step 2
subscribe
to a plan
Compare plans and choose the one that fits your usage.
Monthly
Yearly
$19.99/Mo
Essential Plan
$9.99/Mo
Saver Plan
$29.99/Mo
Premium Plan
Select Plan
$19.99/Mo
Essential Plan
Recommended
150-200Kwh
Estimated Monthly Energy Production
4 Panels
Solar Panels Included in the plan
15%
Estimated Savings on Electricity Bill
Recommended
Farm 1
Greenwood, IN
10000 KwH
Energy Production
10$/Panel
Monthly Cost
-15%
Carbon Emissions
Step 1
Discover Local
Solar Farms
Rent panels from nearby community solar farms.
Farm 1
Greenwood, IN
View Details
Farm 2
Carmel, IN
View Details
Farm 3
Carmel, IN
View Details
Farm 4
Carmel, IN
View Details
Proceed (Farm 1 Selected)
Step 2
subscribe
to a plan
Compare plans and choose the one that fits your usage.
Monthly
Yearly
$19.99/Mo
Essential Plan
$9.99/Mo
Saver Plan
$29.99/Mo
Premium Plan
Select Plan
$19.99/Mo
Essential Plan
Recommended
150-200Kwh
Estimated Monthly Energy Production
4 Panels
Solar Panels Included in the plan
15%
Estimated Savings on Electricity Bill
Recommended
Farm 1
Greenwood, IN
10000 KwH
Energy Production
10$/Panel
Monthly Cost
-15%
Carbon Emissions
Step 1
Discover Local
Solar Farms
Rent panels from nearby community solar farms.
Farm 1
Greenwood, IN
View Details
Farm 2
Carmel, IN
View Details
Farm 3
Carmel, IN
View Details
Farm 4
Carmel, IN
View Details
Proceed (Farm 1 Selected)
Step 2
subscribe
to a plan
Compare plans and choose the one that fits your usage.
Monthly
Yearly
$19.99/Mo
Essential Plan
$9.99/Mo
Saver Plan
$29.99/Mo
Premium Plan
Select Plan
$19.99/Mo
Essential Plan
Recommended
150-200Kwh
Estimated Monthly Energy Production
4 Panels
Solar Panels Included in the plan
15%
Estimated Savings on Electricity Bill
Recommended
Farm 1
Greenwood, IN
10000 KwH
Energy Production
10$/Panel
Monthly Cost
-15%
Carbon Emissions
01
Find Solar Farms Near You
Find Solar Farms Near You
Browse local community solar farms, see details like cost per panel, energy output, and pick one that fits your energy needs and budget.
Browse local community solar farms, see details like cost per panel, energy output, and pick one that fits your energy needs and budget.
01
Find Solar Farms Near You
Browse local community solar farms, see details like cost per panel, energy output, and pick one that fits your energy needs and budget.
02
Link Your Utility Account
Link Your Utility Account
Connect your utility account so we can analyze your energy consumption, recommend plans and apply credits to your bill.
Connect your utility account so we can analyze your energy consumption, recommend plans and apply credits to your bill.
02
Link Your Utility Account
Connect your utility account so we can analyze your energy consumption, recommend plans and apply credits to your bill.
03
Compare Plans
Compare Plans
Compare plans by energy output, included panels, and estimated savings. You can also see how much energy your plan generates over time.
Compare plans by energy output, included panels, and estimated savings. You can also see how much energy your plan generates over time.
03
Compare Plans
Compare plans by energy output, included panels, and estimated savings. You can also see how much energy your plan generates over time.
04
Earn bill Credits
Earn bill Credits
Once enrolled, earn solar credits based on your farm's energy generation. Redeem these credits to reduce your utility bill.
Once enrolled, earn solar credits based on your farm's energy generation. Redeem these credits to reduce your utility bill.
04
Earn bill Credits
Once enrolled, earn solar credits based on your farm's energy generation. Redeem these credits to reduce your utility bill.
05
Track Your Impact
Track Your Impact
Monitor your environmental impact including emissions reduced, energy offset, and trees planted equivalent.
Monitor your environmental impact including emissions reduced, energy offset, and trees planted equivalent.
05
Track Your Impact
Monitor your environmental impact including emissions reduced, energy offset, and trees planted equivalent.
initial problem discovery
initial problem discovery
Indiana’s Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Indiana’s Reliance on Fossil Fuels
We decided to work UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 of Affordable and Clean Energy for our final project.
We chose to tackle renewable energy access, especially solar energy, after discovering that it only makes up about 3% of Indiana's electricity generation (EIA, 2024).
We decided to work UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 of Affordable and Clean Energy for our final project.
We chose to tackle renewable energy access, especially solar energy, after discovering that it only makes up about 3% of Indiana's electricity generation (EIA, 2024).
Sources of electricity generation in Indiana (GWh, 2024)
Sources of electricity generation in Indiana (GWh, 2024)
desk research
desk research
Why solar adoption remains low
Why solar adoption remains low
Our desk research revealed that despite growing interest:
Our desk research revealed that despite growing interest:
50%
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
Source:
National Renewable Energy Lab
50%
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
Source:
National Renewable Energy Lab
50%
of U.S. homes can’t install rooftop solar due to cost, roof issues, or rental status.
Source:
National Renewable Energy Lab
73%
of Americans agree solar is a smart investment, but lack of knowledge stops them from taking action.
Source:
FranklinWH Energy Surve
73%
of Americans agree solar is a smart investment, but lack of knowledge stops them from taking action.
Source:
FranklinWH Energy Surve
73%
of Americans agree solar is a smart investment, but lack of knowledge stops them from taking action.
Source:
FranklinWH Energy Surve
alternative
alternative
What is Community Solar?
What is Community Solar?
While researching, we discovered this promising model called Community Solar.
This is how it works:
While researching, we discovered this promising model called Community Solar.
This is how it works:
1
Solar Farms Generate Clean Energy
A local solar farm produces electricity and sends it to the power grid.
A local solar farm produces electricity and sends it to the power grid.
2
You Pay for a Share of the Panels
As a subscriber, you pay to receive energy from a specific number of panels at the farm.
As a subscriber, you pay to receive energy from a specific number of panels at the farm.
2
You Pay for a Share of the Panels
As a subscriber, you pay to receive energy from a specific number of panels at the farm.
3
Credits Show Up on Your Bill
You earn credits on your utility bill based on the amount of energy your share produces each month.
You earn credits on your utility bill based on the amount of energy your share produces each month.
3
Credits Show Up on Your Bill
You earn credits on your utility bill based on the amount of energy your share produces each month.
User research
User research
Hearing directly from the people
Hearing directly from the people
On paper, Community Solar felt like a perfect solution to the problems we identified. But if it exists, why aren't more people using it?
To find out, we spoke directly with the people we were designing for.
On paper, Community Solar felt like a perfect solution to the problems we identified. But if it exists, why aren't more people using it?
To find out, we spoke directly with the people we were designing for.
We Spoke to
Individual Homeowners
Individual Homeowners
Individual Homeowners
Renters
Renters
Renters
Apartment Managers
Apartment Managers
Apartment Managers
What we wanted to learn
How do people feel about solar energy?
How do people feel about solar energy?
What barriers stop them from taking action?
What barriers stop them from taking action?
Have they heard of community solar? Do they understand it?
Have they heard of community solar? Do they understand it?
What we wanted to learn
How do people feel about solar energy?
What barriers stop them from taking action?
Have they heard of community solar? Do they understand it?
key findings
key findings
Insights that emerged
Insights that emerged
After using Affinity Mapping to analyze the interview data, these are the major findings that came out:
After using Affinity Mapping to analyze the interview data, these are the major findings that came out:
82%
users had no idea what community solar was.
64%
users didn’t trust that solar would actually save them money.
73%
found solar messaging too technical and hard to relate to.
100%
renters felt excluded because they didn’t own the property.
72%
of homeowners and managers gave up due to cost and complexity.
82%
82%
users had no idea what community solar was.
users had no idea what community solar was.
64%
64%
users didn’t trust that solar would actually save them money.
users didn’t trust that solar would actually save them money.
73%
73%
found solar marketing too technical and hard to relate to.
found solar marketing too technical and hard to relate to.
100%
100%
renters felt excluded because they didn’t own the property.
renters felt excluded because they didn’t own the property.
72%
72%
of homeowners and managers gave up due to cost and complexity.
of homeowners and managers gave up due to cost and complexity.
User research
User research
We asked the expert
We asked the expert
We also spoke with an Energy Expert from AES Indiana.
They said:
We also spoke with an Energy Expert from AES Indiana.
They said:
qoute
qoute
We don’t really push community solar because there’s no profit in it for us, and most of people don’t even know it exists.
We don’t really push community solar because there’s no profit in it for us, and most of people don’t even know it exists.
Energy Expert, AES Indiana
Energy Expert, AES Indiana
As a result, even though the model works in other states, it’s still not a mainstream option in Indiana.
As a result, even though the model works in other states, it’s still not a mainstream option in Indiana.
research Summary
research Summary
We found the issue wasn't lack of interest. It was lack of clarity, access and trust. Almost all of our interviewees said going Solar was complex and costly. And very few were aware of community solar.
Instead of designing to convince more people to go solar, we decided to focus on bridging the gap between people and community solar. If we could make it easy to understand, trust, and join a community solar program, it could also spark more public interest, which could eventually help bring community solar into focus in Indiana.
We found the issue wasn't lack of interest. It was lack of clarity, access and trust. Almost all of our interviewees said going Solar was complex and costly. And very few were aware of community solar.
Instead of designing to convince more people to go solar, we decided to focus on bridging the gap between people and community solar. If we could make it easy to understand, trust, and join a community solar program, it could also spark more public interest, which could eventually help bring community solar into focus in Indiana.
design direction
design direction
How Might We Make Community Solar Seem Easy And Approachable So People Can Find Local Options In Their Area, Learn About The Benefits, And Join With Confidence?
How Might We Make Community Solar Seem Easy And Approachable So People Can Find Local Options In Their Area, Learn About The Benefits, And Join With Confidence?
user PERSONA
user PERSONA
defining the user
defining the user
We developed a persona based on our research with renters and homeowners in Indiana who want sustainable energy options but lack awareness of community solar. Maya represents this target group.
We developed a persona based on our research with renters and homeowners in Indiana who want sustainable energy options but lack awareness of community solar. Maya represents this target group.
Maya Patel, 27
Middle School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
Rents an Apartment
Rents an Apartment
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN
BIO
BIO
Maya cares about the environment and wants to lower her electricity bill. She recently started looking into solar, but found it expensive, confusing, and clearly not made for renters. She’s willing to take action, but only if it’s simple, affordable, and easy to trust.
Maya cares about the environment and wants to lower her electricity bill. She recently started looking into solar, but found it expensive, confusing, and clearly not made for renters. She’s willing to take action, but only if it’s simple, affordable, and easy to trust.
Goals
Goals
Save money on her energy bill
Save money on her energy bill
Save money on her energy bill
Support clean energy in a way that works for her
Support clean energy in a way that works for her
Support clean energy in a way that works for her
Find a solar option that doesn’t require owning a home
Find a solar option that doesn’t require owning a home
Find a solar option that doesn’t require owning a home
pAIN POINTS
pAIN POINTS
Surprised by the high cost of rooftop solar
Surprised by the high cost of rooftop solar
Surprised by the high cost of rooftop solar
Gets confused by scattered info about community solar
Gets confused by scattered info about community solar
Gets confused by scattered info about community solar
Doesn’t know who to contact or how to get started
Doesn’t know who to contact or how to get started
Doesn’t know who to contact or how to get started
Maya Patel, 27
Maya Patel, 27
Middle School Teacher
Middle School Teacher
Rents an Apartment
Rents an Apartment
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN
qoute
qoute
I want to do my part for the environment, but I always thought solar wasn’t really an option for someone like me.
"I want to do my part for the environment, but I always thought solar wasn’t really an option for someone like me."
User journey
User journey
Walking in Their Shoes
Walking in Their Shoes
We also mapped out Maya's user journey trying to switch to solar without SolarHive to identify where users get confused and give up. This showed us specific pain points that we needed to solve in our design.
We also mapped out Maya's user journey trying to switch to solar without SolarHive to identify where users get confused and give up. This showed us specific pain points that we needed to solve in our design.
Starting
Decides to look into solar energy after seeing rising bills and reading about climate change.
"It’s time to finally do something about this."
Starting
Decides to look into solar energy after seeing rising bills and reading about climate change.
"It’s time to finally do something about this."
Starting
Decides to look into solar energy after seeing rising bills and reading about climate change.
"It’s time to finally do something about this."
Starting
Decides to look into solar energy after seeing rising bills and reading about climate change.
"It’s time to finally do something about this."
low-fidelity wireframes
low-fidelity wireframes
early sketches
early sketches
We then drew some sketches exploring how SolarHive could address these pain points, with core user flows and features beginning to take shape.
We then drew some sketches exploring how SolarHive could address these pain points, with core user flows and features beginning to take shape.
mid-fidelity Wireframes
mid-fidelity Wireframes
Structuring the Experience
Structuring the Experience
We then developed mid-fidelity wireframes to map out the core experience. Here we defined the layout and navigation for tasks like exploring solar farms and redeeming credits.
These wireframes ensured our UX addressed Maya's needs in terms of usability and functionality.
We then developed mid-fidelity wireframes to map out the core experience. Here we defined the layout and navigation for tasks like exploring solar farms and redeeming credits.
These wireframes ensured our UX addressed Maya's needs in terms of usability and functionality.
visual guide
Moodboard
Moodboard
Next, we created a moodboard by analyzing apps that focused on energy saving and sustainability to understand how they used color, layout, icons and tone to build trust and convey impact.
This helped our visual direction to feel clean, modern, and approachable.
Next, we created a moodboard by analyzing apps that focused on energy saving and sustainability to understand how they used color, layout, icons and tone to build trust and convey impact.
This helped our visual direction to feel clean, modern, and approachable.
Solarhive
10h
10h
Helping You
Join
Helping You
Join
Helping You
Join
Community
Solar, Simply
Community
Solar, Simply
Community
Solar, Simply
Clear and guided access to local solar farms.
SolarHive
SolarHive
SolarHive
Check Eligibility for Community Solar
Takes less than
Takes less than
Takes less than
4 Minutes
4 Minutes
4 Minutes
Typography
Typography
SF Pro Display
Color Palette
Color Palette
#A9EA96
#A9EA96
#A9EA96
#50A434
#50A434
#50A434
#FFFFFF
#FFFFFF
#FFFFFF
#000000
#000000
#000000
+10,000 Hoosiers
+10,000 Hoosiers
+10,000 Hoosiers
exploring Solar
exploring Solar
exploring Solar
www.solarhive.app
USABILITY TESTING
USABILITY TESTING
Testing with real users
Testing with real users
Once we had our mid-fidelity prototype, we tested it with 5 users and ran heuristic evaluations using Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics.
We asked users to complete two key tasks:
Once we had our mid-fidelity prototype, we tested it with 5 users and ran heuristic evaluations using Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics.
We asked users to complete two key tasks:
Getting on-boarded on the app, which includes finding and subscribing to a solar plan.
Getting on-boarded on the app, which includes finding and subscribing to a solar plan.
Getting on-boarded on the app, which includes finding and subscribing to a solar plan.
Redeem earned solar credits.
Redeem earned solar credits.
Redeem earned solar credits.
USABILITY inisights
USABILITY inisights
What we found
What we found
Our testing highlighted various areas of improvements. Some of them were:
Our testing highlighted various areas of improvements. Some of them were:
Users wanted to see plan and farm details before linking their utility account.
Users wanted to see plan and farm details before linking their utility account.
The concept of solar credits was confusing, and users wanted it explained more clearly.
The concept of solar credits was confusing, and users wanted it explained more clearly.
Some users wanted to test the app without connecting their utility accounts.
Some users wanted to test the app without connecting their utility accounts.
There was no confirmation after redeeming credits, which made users nervous about their money.
There was no confirmation after redeeming credits, which made users nervous about their money.
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.
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.
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.
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
Already have an account? Log In
Restart Prototype
Close
PROTOTYPE
Test it yourself
Based on these findings, we refined our high-fidelity prototype. Here is our final prototype with the updated flows :
to navigate the prototype.
Restart Prototype
Close
to restart the prototype.
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.
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.
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.
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
Already have an account? Log In
Restart Prototype
Close
PROTOTYPE
Test it yourself
Based on these findings, we refined our high-fidelity prototype. Here is our final prototype with the updated flows :
to navigate the prototype.
Restart Prototype
Close
to restart the prototype.
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.
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.
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.
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
Already have an account? Log In
Restart Prototype
Close
PROTOTYPE
Test it yourself
Based on these findings, we refined our high-fidelity prototype. Here is our final prototype with the updated flows :
to navigate the prototype.
Restart Prototype
Close
to restart the prototype.
Reflection
Reflection
Looking Back
Looking Back
Many people told us they wanted clean energy but felt held back by high costs or not knowing enough. When we discovered Community Solar, as an easy alternative to traditional installations, hardly anyone had heard of it or knew how to get started.
To understand why, we interviewed our potential users and energy experts, and conducted observations . The insights from these shaped our approach: keep designs simple, show benefits upfront, and use plain language to explain new concepts. And after multiple testing sessions and iterations, we finalized our design.
This project reminded me why I enjoy designing so much. Sometimes a design might not completely solve a problem, but it can give users the confidence to get started. And I am hopeful that our product will help users do this, leading to more future adoption of community solar throughout Indiana.
Many people told us they wanted clean energy but felt held back by high costs or not knowing enough. When we discovered Community Solar, as an easy alternative to traditional installations, hardly anyone had heard of it or knew how to get started.
To understand why, we interviewed our potential users and energy experts, and conducted observations . The insights from these shaped our approach: keep designs simple, show benefits upfront, and use plain language to explain new concepts. And after multiple testing sessions and iterations, we finalized our design.
This project reminded me why I enjoy designing so much. Sometimes a design might not completely solve a problem, but it can give users the confidence to get started. And I am hopeful that our product will help users do this, leading to more future adoption of community solar throughout Indiana.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead
What I’d Do Differently
What I’d Do Differently
If I could do this project again, I would:
If I could do this project again, I would:
Spend more time with low-income users to understand their unique concerns about switching to solar.
Spend more time with low-income users to understand their unique concerns about switching to solar.
Spend more time with low-income users to understand their unique concerns about switching to solar.
Test the concept earlier with real utility bills to see how people interpret credits and savings in context.
Test the concept earlier with real utility bills to see how people interpret credits and savings in context.
Test the concept earlier with real utility bills to see how people interpret credits and savings in context.
Talk to more utility providers to understand their perspective as well as cover larger area.
Talk to more utility providers to understand their perspective as well as cover larger area.
Talk to more utility providers to understand their perspective as well as cover larger area.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What's Next?
What's Next?
While I’m extremely proud of how this project turned out, there’s still a lot more I’d like to work on.
While I’m extremely proud of how this project turned out, there’s still a lot more I’d like to work on.
Particularly, I’d like to focus on:
Particularly, I’d like to focus on:
Work more on the energy tracking features and reach out to more utlity providers for scalability.
Work more on the energy tracking features and reach out to more utlity providers for scalability.
Work more on the energy tracking features and reach out to more utlity providers for scalability.
Integrate live data feeds from farms so users can see credits and impact in real time.
Integrate live data feeds from farms so users can see credits and impact in real time.
Integrate live data feeds from farms so users can see credits and impact in real time.
Add features that show collective impact and let users set personal climate goals to keep them engaged long-term.
Add features that show collective impact and let users set personal climate goals to keep them engaged long-term.
Add features that show collective impact and let users set personal climate goals to keep them engaged long-term.
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Interaction Design
Motion Graphics
A social and visual redesign of Spotify, combining motion, UX, and brand to create a more connected experience.
Pssst, you've reached the end… but how about one more read?
Product Design
Visual Design
Desktop
A centralized platform designed to streamline food distribution, reduce waste, and improve food access across Indiana.
Social UX
Interaction Design
Motion Graphics
A social and visual redesign of Spotify, combining motion, UX, and brand to create a more connected experience.