PVT Solar creates solar solutions to address energy problems. PVT Solar’s echo solar system combines photo-voltaic (PV) electrical power generation with solar heating and home ventilation systems. Echo™ typically generates over 100% more energy than a basic solar electric (PV) system. Echo™ solar systems deliver more energy production, a healthier home environment, and a way to work with the system using the echo solar remote management tool – an iPhone application.
PVT Solar customers can use this iPhone application to monitor and interface with their echo solar systems. Current electrical and thermal output of the system and an “at a glance” animation show current system performance and operating conditions. In addition, current and historical performance data is displayed for energy production and system temperatures. Output in KWhrs can be viewed by day, month, year to date, and on an annual basis.
We worked with PVT to identify opportunities in the competitive landscape. Offering a mobile solution to service their upscale and technologically savvy customers was one of the items that offered the biggest benefit at the lowest cost. The iPhone platform was selected based upon a study that showed high market penetration of the iPhone within PVT’s target customer segments.
We conducted research with PVT pilot program customers, identified requirements, and created concepts which translated the capabilities of their robust web application into an iPhone application. We visualized the experience, refining the vision incrementally, from task flow storyboards, to wireframes, to polished visual designs. We developed and tested the solution and it is currently live in Apple’s App Store.
The highly targeted application has been downloaded and used by all PVT customers and is supporting their sales efforts, creating the desired “wow” factor and point of competitive differentiation.