The future
Solar powered energy is the future.
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Solar panels absorb the heat from the sun to convert it into energy and further into electricity. For solar panels to work to its maximum output, it needs to be cleaned regularly. Solis makes the cleaning of these highly placed solar panels very easy and efficient. A mop which runs across the solar panels and wipes of the dust with water. It ensures Optimum usage of water and energy.
The future is Green.
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Digital.
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Unmanned.
The future is Solis.
Overview
Solis is a device that is connected through an application that helps to control, connect and extract data about the power generated through the solar panels and also about the functioning of Solis. The application is connected to the grid which is connected to the panels that records the output generated. It is also connected to SOLIS through IoT that helps to operate it. We have placed an arduino inside SOLIS that works as the hardware engine.
Data Storage
Effortless
Controlled
TIMELINE
4 WEEKS ​
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W1 - Defining statement and Research
W2 - In depth user study and pain points
W3 - Ideation and prototyping
W4 - Product testing
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CO-PRODUCED BY
GROUP OF 3 (Nirma University)
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AASHAY SHAH
TEJAS PATEL
DEVARSH PATEL
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DISCIPLINE
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Idea Generation
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Technology brainstorming
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Material selection and coding
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Final testing and Evaluation
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Hi-fi prototyping
Development process
01
Context Inquiry
Understood the project brief and reinterpreted it based on the goals. Understanding the role of technology in the project.
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Ideation Process
Create an IA to show the app's key functions, information flow and arrangements.
02
Identify pain points
Identify audience facing issues and plotting pain points through research and interviews.
03
Generating Insights
With the information collected, generate insights and pivot areas based on pain point analysis.
05
Mock up. First usability test
Identify audience with varied interests and needs to conduct interviews
06
Prototype
Create a rapid prototype, Lo-Fi with core functions. Conduct user-testing with end users to test function and interaction
Design Statement
Develop a device that does not involve any human element (time and effort) for cleaning solar panels
Groundwork
Trips and falls
The most common height of fatal construction and cleaning falls was from more than 30 feet (107 deaths of 325 fatal falls).
Other risks include:
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Broken, Fractured, or Shattered Bones
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Severe Back, Neck, and Head Trauma
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Internal Injuries
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Puncture Injuries
Geographical parameteres
There is a huge amount of dust in India because of a lot of sand, and India has a lot of sand as it ends at the Arabian Sea and there are many jungles and deserts that make India look like an oasis compared to its neighbors.
Most people live in rural areas and are dependent on agriculture, which is why much of the dust in India comes from crop residue. Dust storms, known in India as loo, are a natural phenomenon.
The winds speed up as they pass over mountains in the Himalayas, picking up around 1 million metric tons of dust annually.
Electrical
Solar systems include many components that conduct electricity. Electricity comes from two sources: the utility company and the solar array (i.e. the sun). Even when a building’s main breaker is shut off, the PV system will continue to produce power. Risks include:
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Thermal burns
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Muscle, nerve, and tissue damage
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Falls from a surprise shock
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Death
Even low-light conditions can create sufficient voltage, shocking a worker and causing a fall.
The most common height of fatal construction and cleaning falls was from more than 30 feet (107 deaths of 325 fatal falls).
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There are many constructions of this type where it is really difficult to reach and clean.
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These poles are not capable of holding much weight. They are used to give an inclined angle and extra height to provide extra sunlight for energy generation.​
Further Direction
These were a few things that came up during our initial research and user interviews!
In order to implement these, it would require an app integrated with the device.
Physical Device
Power data source
Controllable
The panel owners need to have the control of when to clean the panels and not have 100% automation. The weather plays an important role as rains, mild precipitation and travel plans, eliminate the need of cleaning at some occasions.
Easy to use
Majority panel owners get to know about the inefficient functioning of the panels once they have their high electricity bill without any reduction in units used. Thus, they want real-time data of the energy produced.
Connected with you
Less time consuming
An average house hold with PV panels in India have 4 PV panels installed bringing the cleaning surface area arounf 85 Sq Ft. at an elevated inclined space that can be difficult to even reach.
Initial Conceptualisation
Paper wireframes
Testing results - Phase 1
4 different boxes with similar texts on the dashboard made it difficult to navigate further in the application. First time users had to go inside every page and know what the information was.
Having two sections related to Solis on the dashboard created confusion for the users (which part does what).
Further Action
Using card sorting and Tree testing
For operating Solis, 3 tabs made it difficult to understand the further steps. Need to use only the Manual and automatic set-up.
It took a lot of scrolling to know the power generated in the past days and needed to be broken down into time frames.
Basic Solis Operations flow
Mid-Fid
This part was only to understand how can Solis be easily operated through the App.
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Testing results - Phase 2
The setup process missed a few components essential that need to be mentioned during setting up of the cleaning process. "Setup" that was to be discarded after the first phase of testing, is now important and needs to be kept as a separate button.
Joystick needs to be bigger and the supporting cleaning buttons can be smaller.
The cleaning process should be minimized by providing a single page that navigates between all 3 of the setting options.
High Fidelity Prototype
The icon on the bottom of the landing page works as a loading icon. The log in page gives a sense of healthy solar power generation with Solis.
Exploded view
High-density poly-ethylene (HDPE) case covering
Arduino Uno
Stepper motor
High-grade aluminium 2mm
Scratch proof fabric
Pump and motor controller
PLA Plus 3D printed parts
Multi knit fabric Mop
Having a device exposed to the sunlight, rain and harsh atmosphere in western part of India and India in general can cause problems for the material used if not considered earlier.
After having experimenting and using LDPE/ other materials for prototyping, we had to get it right has the material wore out which caused problems for the device to function.
Material Selection
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Device test run
Components
Mechanical
Electrical
Frame
Driver system
Actuator
Carriage
Guide
Aluminium timing pulley
Controller
Driver
Actuator (motor)
Power supply
Assembly Process for POC
Cut 2mm aluminium plate according to scale
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Further component placement, spacing and cutting
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Arrangement and fixing of various components on the frame
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Wiring and testing
Fixing frame inside the 3D printed form
Attaching fibre mop
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