Project Overview
Solba is a mobile application prototype aimed at improving solar energy adoption in the Philippines, especially among low- and middle-income households. The app addresses barriers such as high upfront costs, lack of reliable information, inefficient energy management, and limited technical support in rural areas. We won 2nd place out of 13 teams.
My Role
Tools
Problem Statement
Despite the growing demand for renewable energy, many individuals and businesses face significant barriers to adopting solar power. High upfront costs, limited access to reliable information, inefficient energy monitoring, and fragmented support services make the adoption process complex and discouraging.
The challenge was to design a platform that simplifies the solar adoption journey by bringing together the tools, information, and services users need in a single, accessible experience.
Design Process
Research & Discovery
To create an intuitive and effective mobile app experience, I researched existing platforms to understand common design patterns, structures, and user expectations.
Wireframing
I created low-fidelity wireframes to establish layout structure and functionality before moving into UI design.
Design Decisions
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Bottom Navigation Bar:
I designed the main analysis interface using a side-by-side layout. The left side contains an interactive map, while the right side displays the generated location insights. This layout allows users to maintain geographic context while simultaneously reviewing relevant data. -
Tab-Based Page Structure:
I introduced tab navigation within key sections to organize complex information into smaller, digestible categories. For example, in the Marketplace section, there’s “Solar Panels” and “Solar Energy” tabs.
User Interface
After finalizing the wireframes, I developed the high-fidelity UI design:
Design Decisions
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Color Palette Selection:
I chose a yellow and blue color palette to represent the sun and the sky. This decision reinforces the solar energy theme while creating a bright, trustworthy, and optimistic visual identity for the application.
Prototype
I developed the fully interactive Figma prototype with transitions to simulate real app behavior. This improved usability testing, enhanced user flow presentation
Outcome
The final design resulted in a centralized solar energy platform that simplifies decision-making and improves accessibility for users. This project was submitted as part of a hackathon competition, where it was awarded 2nd Place, recognizing its potential impact, completeness of solution, and user-centered design approach.
Wireframes
High-Fidelity UI Screens
