Inspiration
Going solar shouldn't require trusting a random salesperson. Many homeowners are interested in solar energy due to its positive benefits, but don't know if their home is a good candidate or who to trust for information. That's where SimplySolar comes in, which is your guide to navigating the complex solar industry.
What it does
Upload a photo of your home and SimplySolar Gemini to estimate its solar compatibility. Using your address, SimplySolar connects to the Google Maps API to collect satellite data from your roof, filling in missing fields. You can also generate a 3D model view of your roof and visualize solar panels in action. Finally, users can understand if solar is right for them and the next steps they should take. Users can tweak the assumptions behind the analysis and instantly regenerate the results, giving them a clearer and more personalized assessment before contacting any installers.
How we built it
Frontend
- React 19 and Vite: Provide the frameworks for a fast website generation.
- TypeScript, CSS, and HTML: The foundations for the clean interface.
Backend
- Gemini API and Google Maps API: Provided the remaining pieces to help visualize the roof and analyze whether or not the roof is compatible.
Challenges we ran into
Merge Conflicts We ran into merge conflicts more often than not in the final stretch. Since we all split up in order to develop the aspects of SimplySolar, the farther the branches go in their respective fields, the harder it is to find ways to resolve the changes.
API Key Limitations Due to the discontinuation of Google's Education program, we are stuck on the free tier of the API keys. Not only did we have to deal with a weaker model, but also the credit limit that was placed on us, which set us back in terms of time.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
From Dollar to Solar We created a website that is not only free to use but easy to access and garner information regarding the solar compatibility of a person's home. This not only saves money for an actual expert to walk around and observe the roof, but it also prevents scammers from taking advantage of uninformed homeowners and giving them the wrong information.
Informing the Uneducated Our proudest achievement involves the bigger purpose associated with the project. SimplySolar allows homeowners to see how solar panels can affect their finances as well as whether or not solar panels are the right investment for them.
Adjustable Values We translated complex measurements and financial data into a simple yet powerful interface for users to apply and change in accordance with their home. The 3D map and the financial chart make understanding the data feel less complicated and more interactive.
What we learned
Frontend performance matters Data is not reliable without a UI interface that is not only easy on the eyes but also interactive to keep the user engaged.
Appreciation for Solar Power Talking to OneEthos and researching the topic at hand while doing this project gave us a bigger understanding of the difficulties of implementing solar panels, as well as the need to educate people on the process of gaining solar panels.
The Power of API Using the API keys of Google Maps and Gemini, we can expand our analysis to create a more accurate reading.
What's next for SimplySolar
Our current demo demonstrates AI-powered solar compatibility analysis from a single uploaded image. Moving forward, we plan to expand SimplySolar by integrating satellite imagery and local weather data to improve accuracy. We also want to estimate potential energy production, monthly savings, installation costs, and return on investment based on the user's location. By using AI on trusted data, SimplySolar can make confident, informed decisions regarding its transition into the future.
Furthermore, we would try to incorporate more advanced 3D modeling to account for more accurate satellite imagery as well as simulate different weather data to see if the solar panels can still work under those conditions.
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