Microsoft SolarEase: AI-Powered Web tool for Smarter Solar Microgrid Investment Decisions

Timeline

Sep 2024 - March 2022

6 months



My Role
Sole Designer

Full-stack developer

Brand and visual design

Team
Matilda Huang(CX)
Cecilia Hung(UXR)
Yongzhe Jiang(PM)


See our live site

✒︎ Sole designer first, ✴︎ full-stack developer second for this shipped product.

What is going on?

Microsoft's Promise on Energy Equity

Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030, aligning with Washington’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045 under the Clean Energy Transformation Act. Additionally, it partners with low-income communities to help install solar panels for energy independence.

Sounds Good, But It's Challenging Because...

Lack of Free Assessment Tools

Most tools charge fees, limiting access for beginners, especially low-income users.

Lack of Free Assessment Tools

Most tools charge fees, limiting access for beginners, especially low-income users.

Complex & Scattered Information

Solar concepts are hard to grasp, and key information is spread across multiple sources.

Complex & Scattered Information

Solar concepts are hard to grasp, and key information is spread across multiple sources.

Diverse User Decision-Making

Homeowners and community leaders prioritize different factors when considering solar.

Diverse User Decision-Making

Homeowners and community leaders prioritize different factors when considering solar.

Thus, our project's business goal is to...

Collaborated with Microsoft to bridge the market gap by introducing a new AI-powered web tool to advance social technology for more equitable and resilient communities.

THE BIZ IMAPCT

30,000+

Low-income households will be benefited

Millions

Potential solar investments

unlocked

40%

Reduction in energy costs


Initial Linear Research Process

Our team started from scratch with zero understanding of solar microgrids. We approached the problem and users through various user-centered research methods. The process was linear in the early stages, but we revisited research during the design phase as needed.


Click below, it’s interactive!

DISCOVERING THE MARKET

Secondary Research

Market Gap Analysis

GATHERING INSIGHTS

SME Interviews

Stakeholder Analysis

KNOWING OUR USES

Target User

User Interview Insights

Secondary research helps us understand the importance of solar energy as it is independent, clean, and renewable compared to traditional sources.

Secondary Research

Market Gap Analysis

SME Interviews

Stakeholder Analysis

Target User

User Interview Insights

Secondary research helps us understand the importance of solar energy as it is independent, clean, and renewable compared to traditional sources.

Secondary Research

Market Gap Analysis

SME Interviews

Stakeholder Analysis

Target User

User Interview Insights

Secondary research helps us understand the importance of solar energy as it is independent, clean, and renewable compared to traditional sources.

Design Challenge

How might we design an AI-powered web tool that enables individuals and communities to assess their solar investment potential with minimal input while ensuring ease of use?

Ideation After Research

Design

Decisions

I led our team in transforming user needs from research into design decisions.

User Flow

Here is the ideal user flow for our user interface.

Product

Architecture

And a simple overview of the product architecture.

Final Product & Non-linear Design Process

I designed the majority of the product and implemented the front end entirely by myself while collaborating with a teammate on the backend. I'm proud to have shipped this end-to-end product. We use the Microsoft Fluent Design System as per the sponsor's requirement.

AI Chatbot Soli

Design Thinking & Decisions 🗯️🗯️🗯️

Soli Conversational AI Design Guidelines: Adaptive, Conversational, User-Centered.

Evaluation Tool & Dashboard

User Group 1: Individual Household Owner (Simple Inputs: Address + Electricity Bill)

User Group 2: Community Representative (Complex Inputs: Address + System Preference + Loan)

Design Thinking & Decisions 🗯️🗯️🗯️

Beyond the technical discussion, we delivered the dashboard design through multiple cycles of testing, research, and iteration.

Non-linear Research & Validation 🗯️🗯️🗯️

We conducted early and mid-stage usability testing using both quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (interviews) methods. After gathering feedback, we conducted additional user research.

Landing Page & Solar 101

Design Thinking & Decisions 🗯️🗯️🗯️

Our key interactive learning diagram has been updated multiple times based on user feedback at different stages.

I developed the front end on my own.

Another proud aspect of this shipped product is that I independently developed the front end while collaborating with a teammate on the backend. As a product designer with a development background, I enjoy the challenge of balancing design and development decisions!

AI Chatbot Soli

Reflection

Scoping down the problem requires high-level product thinking

Scoping down the problem requires high-level product thinking

At the beginning, I was confused because I had no prior knowledge of solar microgrids. However, after dedicating significant time to reading professional research, exploring industry websites, and speaking with experts, I was able to grasp key concepts, identify market gaps, and apply high-level product thinking to this project. I am proud to say that I led the product strategy and design throughout this process.

At the beginning, I was confused because I had no prior knowledge of solar microgrids. However, after dedicating significant time to reading professional research, exploring industry websites, and speaking with experts, I was able to grasp key concepts, identify market gaps, and apply high-level product thinking to this project. I am proud to say that I led the product strategy and design throughout this process.

Designers Thrive with Multidisciplinary Skills

Designers Thrive with Multidisciplinary Skills

Four years ago, if someone had told me that my statistics, information background, and programming classes would significantly impact my product design career, I would have been shocked. But today, as technology advances rapidly, designers must develop diverse skill sets to understand balance, interaction principles, and especially AI-driven experiences.The key is to keep learning and adapting! 🚀

Four years ago, if someone had told me that my statistics, information background, and programming classes would significantly impact my product design career, I would have been shocked. But today, as technology advances rapidly, designers must develop diverse skill sets to understand balance, interaction principles, and especially AI-driven experiences.The key is to keep learning and adapting! 🚀

Visual Design Supports, But Doesn't Overrule UX

Visual Design Supports, But Doesn't Overrule UX

While visual design enhances usability and engagement, it should never take priority over user experience. A well-designed product is not just aesthetically pleasing but also intuitive, functional, and user-centered. Striking the right balance ensures that design decisions always serve the end user’s needs first.



While visual design enhances usability and engagement, it should never take priority over user experience. A well-designed product is not just aesthetically pleasing but also intuitive, functional, and user-centered. Striking the right balance ensures that design decisions always serve the end user’s needs first.



Home

Leidos