1. The Rooftop Solar
Smartphone App
The University of Tennessee is developing an industry first
mobile application to help grow the Solar Economy across
the Tennessee Valley.
SolarEconomy
Tools to minimize consumer uncertainty and
encourage Solar Adoption by connecting to
professionals in Solar Service organizations.
SolarEducation
Consumer grade education and awareness
building so property owners will understand
the Solar Energy generation process.
SolarInteraction
Stakeholder Engagement to gauge public
opinion and understand market barriers to
support an informed Solar Energy community.

2. The Rooftop Solar
Smartphone App
The University of Tennessee is developing an industry first
mobile application to help grow the Solar Economy across
the Tennessee Valley.

3. Why A Rooftop Solar App?
Since the SunShot Goals are to…
• Improve market conditions for Rooftop Solar
• Streamline and standardize permitting processes
• Reduce market barriers to increase Solar adoption
• Encourage partnerships of local governments, utilities, and organizations
• Facilitate participation by diverse entities
We envisioned a Rooftop Solar App that would…
• Be a dependable source of Solar information for the Tennessee Valley
• Echo policies of local governments, planning agencies, HOAs
• Offer local permitting processes provided based on user GPS
• Act as a directory of consumer-oriented Solar service providers
• Refer to certified installers, realtors, lenders and other Solar professionals
• Create a place for community interest organizations to share messages
• Facilitate public and stakeholder participation with social media

4. 51.7%
38.9%
3.2%6.2%
Android Apple Windows All Others
People in the US owned a smartphone (42%)
133.7 Million
57 Percent
Of owners from all other types of phones
converted to smartphones
8 Percent
74 Percent
Of smartphone users have contacted a business
they found with their phone
The Move To Mobile
In February 2013
Of all mobile phones were smartphones
24 / 7
Unlike a desktop PC environment, people are near their
smartphone almost the entire day, many sleeping within
arm’s reach of their device.
Mobile Operating Systems Used in the US
comScore April 4, 2013

5. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
PCs Smartphones Tablets
2012 Q4 2013 Q1
It’s Not Only Smartphones
Percent of US homes with one or more…
comScore April 4, 2013
The Rooftop Solar App will be available on the two most
popular operating systems for smartphones and tablets.

6. Engage All Solar Stakeholders
The app will attempt to bring together consumers and solar industry professionals in a way to improve
the Solar Economy in the Tennessee Valley. The Rooftop Solar App will serve three main areas:
An educational tool that
property owners can use to
make informed decisions as
they learn more about
Rooftop Solar.
Clarifies Solar permitting,
installation, and generation
processes with insights into
the functions of Solar service
providers, local government
agencies, and utilities.
SolarEducation
Engage consumers and all
solar stakeholders in
dialogue of topical Rooftop
Solar issues, barriers and
best practices.
Through extended public
interaction the app will serve
as a dynamic research tool
that will better inform solar
policy to reduce barriers to
Solar Adoption.
SolarInteraction
Connect consumers and
solar industry professionals
in a way to encourage
growth in the Solar
Economy.
Encourage consumers to
adopt Solar by facilitating
an entry point with
certified Solar installers,
realtors, lenders, and local
government agencies.
SolarEconomy

7. Solar 101
• Explains how Solar Energy is captured and
converted to electricity – an introduction of
Photovoltaic processes
• Illustrates hardware components that will be
installed on the property – meters, panels, wiring,
meters, and safety features
• Introduces different kinds of solar panels,
mounting styles, tiles, esthetic options available
on the market
SolarEducation

8. Local Processes
• Provides unique zoning and permitting
information relevant to the app user’s location
• Raises awareness of requirements and property
owner responsibilities
• Raises due diligence issues concerning Home
Owners Associations, Historic Structures, and
any local zoning ordinances or districts
• Overviews the contractual relationship with TVA
and the local utility
SolarEducation

9. 10 Step Checklist
• Explains solar permitting and interconnection
processes for installs 10kw and under
• Helps property owners determine if their
property is a good candidate for rooftop solar
• Provides property owners contact information
for certified local installers, lending institutions,
realtors, and other Solar professionals
• Assists property owners as they plan and track
progress with in-app note-taking
SolarEducation

10. Solar Sizing
• Features a Solar Sizing tool to help estimate a
suitable array based on energy consumption
• Assists property owner on suitability of roof and
considerations of future energy needs
• Links to TVA’s solar calculator, NREL’s PVWatts
Calculator, and NREL’s In My Backyard tool.
• Together, these tools help estimate system costs
and aligns property owners expectations with
energy offset programs and payback
SolarEducation
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can this App better educate the
public about Solar?

11. Provide Information on Financing
• Helps give overview of how to estimate costs
and payback
• Promotes awareness of lending institutions
favorable toward solar
• Informs consumers about current financial
incentives
• Introduces alternative financing options like
community solar, revolving loan funds,
Mosaic, others
SolarEconomy
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can this app function better support
the Solar economy in the Tennessee Valley?

12. Solar Service Professionals
• Sortable list of statewide Solar installers, by name,
city, miles away, service territory
• Inform consumers the levels of certification for
electrical contractors who service PV
• Identifies Solar Installers on a map, tap for more
information, link to contact information
• While in the field, Solar Installers can use app to
identify jurisdiction serving property owners for
zoning and permitting information
SolarEconomy
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can this app better support Solar
professionals serving the Tennessee Valley?

13. Realtors Specializing in Solar
• Insights into selecting Real Estate professionals
and appraisers with special credentials in dealing
with Solar properties
• Refers to real estate professionals who help Solar
home owners sell existing properties, and helps
home buyers find a Solar property
• Links to websites of the Tennessee Real Estate
Commission, the National Associate of Realtors,
and EcoBroker International
SolarEconomy
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can this app better support Real Estate
Professionals in the Tennessee Valley?

14. Frequently Asked Questions
• Features a list of question generated from
SunShot Phase I utilities and municipalities
• Starting questions in FAQ are the most asked to
the local governments and utilities serving
Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Franklin
• The FAQ will be updated over time as question
are received
SolarEconomy
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can this app better support the
Solar Economy of the Tennessee Valley?

15. Social Media
• Integrates existing UT SunShot Facebook, Twitter,
and Google Groups for current news and dialogue
• Provides opportunities to voice opinions, ask
questions, reactions to installation process, and
share satisfaction levels of Solar generation
• Provide an opportunity for Solar experts to
interact with the public and offer advice and
discussion input in a public forum
• Provide all stakeholders the opportunity to
improve the Solar process
SolarInteraction
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can the app best engage the public in
dialogue about Solar?

16. Solar Community Support
• Promote community organizations active in
encouraging solar energy generation
• Promote industry and trade organizations in the
Tennessee Valley and around the nation
• Identify local property owners willing to share
experiences and photos of their Solar installation
• Draw attention to local nonprofits or Solar
companies with onsite Solar operations that offer
tours or workshops
• Need more entities throughout the region
SolarInteraction
APP
INPUT
WANTED
How can this app best involve Solar
organizations in the Tennessee Valley?

17. Surveys and Polls
• Gauge public opinion on topical issues
• Survey Solar customers as they transition from
information gathering, to installation, through
operation
• Identify market barriers and obstacles that keep
consumers from taking the next step
• Work with jurisdictions to address solar policy or
local market weaknesses that may deter solar
adoption
SolarInteraction
APP
INPUT
WANTED
What Rooftop Solar questions would you
like to ask the public through the app?

18. Improve Solar Policies
• Identify communities where there is Solar
demand, yet where solar processes and policies
may be lacking
• Provide relevant survey feedback to jurisdictions
that can inform Solar policy or improve market
weaknesses that may deter solar adoption
• Become a valuable resource for promoting Solar
adoption, informing public policy, and shaping
positive Solar attitudes and perceptions
SolarInteraction
APP
INPUT
WANTED
What Rooftop Solar questions would you
like to ask the public through the app?

19.  Beta test period has ended with public release process underway.
 Next app edits and improvements will occur after public release.
 App content can be updated as often of needed, so feel free to offer
specific content like events and workshops, and any other ideas to help
grow the app.
 You are the Solar Experts, help this tool become as beneficial as
possible for yourself and all Solar stakeholders in the Tennessee Valley.
Suggest content, promote local news, developments, opportunities.
App Development Timeline
Contact Us
Baker Center for Public Policy, Knoxville, TN 37918 / 865-974-4562 / eogle@tennessee.edu
APP
INPUT
WANTED
Please consider reviewing the app and providing any feedback!
SolarEconomySolarEducation SolarInteraction

20. STAY IN TOUCH
UT – SunShot Online
Eric Ogle
Address:
Baker Center for Public Policy
1640 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Phone:
865 - 974 - 4562
Email:
eogle@tennessee.edu
f facebook.com/RooftopSolarTN
t twitter.com/RooftopSolarTN
sites.google.com/site/SunShotTN
Share your Solar thoughts and experiences with the
Tennessee Valley community as together we work
for a Solar-powered future.
Participate with the SunShot Rooftop Solar effort
across several social media platforms.
SolarEconomySolarEducation SolarInteraction