Automated and editable Single-Line Diagrams
Empowering solar designers to customize electrical designs
UX/UI Design
Overview
After an Aurora user creates and sells a 3D solar design to their residential customer, they need to generate a detailed electrical diagram called a single-line diagram (SLD). This diagram is essential for registering with utility companies and guiding electricians during installation.
Currently, most users create their own templates from scratch using tools like AutoCAD or Word. Our solution streamlines this process by automatically generating an SLD based on the user’s Aurora 3D design, leveraging the information already available in our software.
However, many projects require additional, nuanced details that cannot be fully automated due to the vast range of scenarios. To address this, we developed a smart SLD editor. This feature allows users to customize their designs by adding missing components, adjusting wiring connections, and including additional notes—all within Aurora. This eliminates the need for multiple external tools and ensures a more seamless and user-focused experience.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Discovery Research: Initial round of research led by the research team.
Design Phase 1: Defining key jobs-to-be-done and creating initial prototype solutions.
User Research: Conducting a second round of qualitative, in-person user studies based on MVP design prototypes, led by the Design and Research Lead.
Design Phase 2: Iterating on designs based on user research feedback.
MVP Finalization: Cross-functional collaboration to finalize MVP and post-MVP designs in partnership with engineers from the System Design, Plan Sets, and Internalization pods.
GENERAL WORKFLOW OVERVIEW
As users design their 3D solar projects in our CAD tool, they can switch to the SLD ("electrical view") at any time. This 2D diagram is ideal for complex wire editing and allows users to add the necessary details to their project for registration with utility companies, government agencies, and use by electrical installers.
INTERACTION DESIGN SPECS
As part of creating a new 2D design space, I developed a range of innovative interaction patterns for the SLD editor experience.
SMART WIRING FOR EASY OF USE
Editing single-line diagrams can quickly become overwhelming with complex designs and crossing wires. Additionally, keeping track of available component ports can be challenging. To address these issues, we implemented automated port validation and wire untangling. These features enable users to make flexible edits efficiently while minimizing errors.
ADDITIONAL ICONS AND SYMBOLS
I designed a range of new icons for our design system library, including additions for the SLD editor toolbar and electrical symbol objects.
KEY SCREENS
While editing the electrical diagram, users can adjust components and wire connections while specifying details for each. These details will appear on the final one-page PDF document. Users can preview this document at any time using the preview button.
EDITOR
PREVIEW
ACCOMPLIMENTS 🎉
Unblocked sales team to sell Aurora internationally as SLD editing is a key aspect of European workflows and a huge competitive advanced for Aurora now
Retained newly acquired customers in Europe
Finally had the tools to built a feature internal Aurorans and US customers have been interested in for years (a true electrical view of a solar system), which Aurora never had a strong enough business metric to make it a top product and design priority
Streamlined the product development process by collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, design, and research teams, ensuring timely and effective delivery of new features.
Increased user satisfaction and adoption by implementing a more intuitive and efficient SLD editor, reducing time spent on design iterations and minimizing errors in the final electrical diagrams.