Interactive Solar Proposal Platform Using AI Roof Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar sales processes are time-consuming and prone to errors due to reliance on human designers who may not accurately portray solar best practices, and high-quality 3D data is limited, especially in rural areas, leading to inefficient and inaccurate proposal generation for solar energy systems.
Innovation Solution
An automated system generates highly accurate solar production models and dynamic proposals using stereoscopic imagery and neural networks to identify roof features and simulate sun paths, providing interactive proposals without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human designers are used to create solar proposals, then the proposals can be customized and presented to customers, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating solar proposals using AI algorithms that independently analyze satellite imagery, calculate solar production, and create customized proposals without requiring human designer intervention for each proposal, thereby eliminating time consumption and errors associated with manual design processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical human design process with an automated computational system that uses machine learning models and algorithms to perform tasks previously done manually by human designers, including site analysis, solar panel placement optimization, and proposal generation
2Measurement precision
If high-quality 3D data collection is performed, then accurate solar production models can be generated, but data availability is limited in rural areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses satellite imagery as a copy or representation of the physical site, creating digital twins and 3D models from remote sensing data that accurately replicate site characteristics without requiring physical presence or ground-based 3D scanning equipment, thereby extending coverage to rural and remote areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based 3D data collection to space-based satellite imagery analysis, adding a vertical dimension to data acquisition by capturing site information from orbital altitude, which overcomes the limitation of geographic accessibility and enables precise modeling of remote locations
3Productivity
If automated systems are used to generate proposals, then manual labor and errors are reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs multiple functions within a single integrated platform, including satellite imagery processing, 3D site modeling, solar production calculation, financial analysis, and proposal generation, thereby achieving high productivity through a multi-functional system that handles the entire proposal workflow
Data Source
AI summary
The PPS 300 includes a PPS server 310 and a tablet computer 320, as shown. In one embodiment, the tablet computer 320 may be supplanted by a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or any appropriate personal computing device. The PPS server 310 may be similar in some respects to the PPS server 140 of FIG. 1. The tablet computer 320 may be similar in some respects to the tablet computer 150 of FIG. 1. The tablet computer 320 can comprise an electronic memory, a processor, a communication system, and a display module. The platform 330 can include the Preposal™340 and a container 350 for the interactive proposal 358. The platform 330 can be implemented, executed, or otherwise provided by the PPS 300 to render a presentation of the Preposal™340 and proposal 358 to the display module of the tablet computer 320. The platform 330 is shown in a representational form extending beyond the tablet computer 320 for ease of description and not as an actual physical state. A preset content library 342 is shown, and comprises a plurality of preset content modules 344. Each of the preset content modules 344 may contain text, graphics, and other data useful to educate a potential purchaser of a solar energy system on general terms regarding the process, the benefits, etc. of a solar energy system. A user of the tablet computer 320 may select one or more of the preset content modules 344 (selected preset content modules 348) for insertion 346 into or inclusion in the Preposal™340. The user may further order the selected preset content modules 348 as desired. In one embodiment, the user may be able to edit one or more of the selected preset content modules 348. In one embodiment, the user may be able to generate a custom preset content module to include with the selected preset content modules 348.