Short description
How buildings can become net producers of renewable energy and turn the not so positive 40% of CO2 emissions to a positive contribution, to a positive contribution where the world’s buildings provide 40% of future global energy supply (renewable of course).
Such a transformative shift is technically possible, but require a very different approach to buildings and the energy system, and such an innovative approach is supported by the SolarGuard app.
This is how they describe their app:
“SolarGuard allows you and SolarCity to continuously monitor the performance of your solar system through your online SolarGuard account. In the unlikely event that your system underperforms, SolarCity will alert you and help you remedy the situation.”
Read more about the app here solarcity.com
The best with the app/supporting initiative
+ Support the shift towards buildings that are part of the solution instead of the problem.
+ Create transparency and understanding of the energy system and the needs we have.
The weak parts of the app/supporting initiative
- It is only focused on the solar system so a user need to use other tools to get a full understanding of the house.
What could accelerate this app/supporting initiative into a world changer?
➢ The more people use this kind of app the better. If it could be further developed so that it can include the parts of the house (and maybe also the electric car) that use electricity it would be good.
➢ It would be good if the app also could help people engage in policy processes as the voices of centralized fossil/nuclear solutions are dominating around the world today.
Delivery
How direct is the delivery of the result the app tries to achieve
- Direct
- Indirect
- Inspirational
- Long shot
Comments
If you have the app you already have a system that is delivering solutions.
Transformative approach
How transformative is it
- A new world
- A major shift
- A bit of a shake-up
- A gentle rocking
Comments
That people become aware of how the energy system actually works and the possibilities that exist to become a part of the solution is important.
How much does it encourage collaborations
How much are new networks supported
- Strong support for global networks?
- Currently encourages new forms of collaboration
- Provides interesting opportunities in the future
- Restricted to a small (expert) group
Comments
Unfortunately it is not much of collaboration in the app. It would be good to be able to see how a network of users are contributing to as well as connect with these people to coordinate political actions.
What synergies can be delivered
How well does it also solve other problems/generate solutions
- It solves everything
- Several important challenges
- Some important challenges
- Only one challenge
Comments
By starting with smart supply a user will look into smart ways of using the electricity in the house.
Nine billion contribution
How global is it? Is it helping/will it help everyone on the planet
- Instant global equality
- Almost global
- Getting (incrementally) global
- Not applicable
Comments
Few apps are as positive for global poverty reduction is this app. Smart solutions that bring down prices on solar solutions and smart control systems is really important for poverty reduction and sustainable urbanization (the majority of urbanization will take place in poor countries).
Building on current trends
How well does it use current trends
- The app is setting new trends by itself
- Building on multiple trends
- Effectively building on one trend
- Not really building on any major trend
Comments
The increased interest in energy security, support of high-tech innovation and global contributions makes this an app for the 21st century.
Timeframe
How fast can it deliver
- It's already happening
- In the coming weeks
- In a year or so
- In a distant future (hopefully)
Comments
Every new system is a step in the right direction and every kWh is a small step towards a smart 21st century infrastructure.
Transparency
Does it support transformative transparency
- Brave new transparency
- Transparency that is innovative (never seen before)
- Increased transparency, but nothing innovative
- No increase in transparency
Comments
The app provides important information but is not really pushing any boundaries. The app could easily add features that link the use to global energy development, policy development and help people connect to people in other parts of the world.