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Designing a solar panel display: Information, visualization and personalization

Søfting, Thea Snilsberg
Master thesis
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TheaS-fting_01- ... ningASolarPanelDisplay.pdf (18.19Mb)
Year
2018
Permanent link
http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-68096

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  • Institutt for informatikk [3608]
Abstract
There is a growth in the number of solar panel installations in residential homes in Norway, and the process of installing has become effortless with the assistance of various actors. However, the experience of having solar panels in the home is still inadequate, where users lack information and understanding of their energy production and consumption. This thesis explores how to design a display tool for solar panel users regarding content, visualizations and personalization towards different types of users. I have developed a prototype based on a user-centered design approach where I have collected data through expert interviews, user interviews with observations and a document analysis in correlation with a visualization checklist I have established based on visualizations theories. The prototype has been evaluated and redesigned based on feedback from design workshops with users before a final prototype is presented as a result. Throughout the research, future scenarios such as peak pricing, energy storage and automation are also considered. The data indicates that many of those who install solar panels in Norway today are early-adopters who have an interest in technology, electricity or related fields. Their motivation comes from economic and environmental reasons, but not so much that the display should be designed based on the motivation. Those who know little about energy, in contrast to experts, want simpler visualizations that break down the data to make it easier to understand. Experts are more interested in the numbers, which should be shown in a chart as well as a table. The information that is most important to bring forward in a display is information directly related to the data, displayed in both kWh and NOK for the economic context. When visualizing abstract concepts such as energy, there should be a focus on designing for the user in terms of language and design choices, allowing the user to explore and create their own stories yet always placing accurate data in a context. Visual principles that are most valuable in this context are clear labels, accentuating deviations and removing unnecessary chartjunk. The final visualization checklist presented can be used in future research projects when visualizing for users.
 
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