STS Norway - 3D solar installation configurator

Identifying needs

In renewable energy, understanding and meeting stakeholder needs is critical. For Solarts as a panel manufacturer, the priority was a product that is efficient, reliable, and easy to install and operate.

Installers want solutions for fast, low-error installation and high customer satisfaction. End users - homeowners and businesses - expect a transparent purchase and installation process, easy product information, and confidence that their solar investment will deliver financial and environmental returns.

Traditional solar purchase and installation was complex and slow. Finding panels, comparing installers, and choosing mounting systems could take up to 10 weeks - a problem for Solarts and customers alike. A digital solution was urgently needed to streamline the process, boost efficiency, and cut delivery time.

A radical change was needed to make solar more accessible. Without effective visualisation, buyers felt uncertain. Seeing panels on their roof virtually before purchase became a key need - leading to a system capable of realistic 2D and 3D placement on specific buildings.

Needs-based recommendation system

Buying solar panels is not just about attractive models - it is about the right panels and mounting system given environmental factors such as building sun exposure and snow load. Customers often lacked technical knowledge, leading to suboptimal choices. An intelligent recommendation system was needed to account for these variables and suggest optimal panels and mounting.

Connecting with the right installer

Finding a reliable local installer was another challenge. Installation quality matters as much as panel quality, and there was no trusted platform connecting customers with professionals. A comprehensive platform was needed from panel selection through installation. Customers can also see potential energy and cost savings, supporting informed decisions.

GMI Software team

The following people played key roles in the GMI Software project:

• CTO/PO: Project management, aligning technology with business goals
• UI/UX designer: Intuitive interfaces and stronger customer engagement
• Full stack developer: Front-end and back-end integration, software architecture
• Backend developer: Server logic and databases, system performance
• Frontend developer: Turning UI/UX designs into a functional application
• 3D developer: Realistic 3D models and solar installation visualisation

Project backlog and design phase

In software delivery, navigating complex requirements and turning them into solutions is hard. For Solarts, the Discovery and Design phase was the guiding light - the soul of the project setting direction.

The first step was a detailed customer journey map. Understanding touchpoints from start to finish was essential. Empathy for customer needs, desires, and pain points shaped a user-centred narrative. That research became the foundation for UX optimisation, engagement, and Solarts success.

Product backlog

At the heart of the project was a carefully crafted product backlog - a prioritised set of features and improvements forming the development plan. As a living guide, it directed team effort toward successive key goals through the turbulence of delivery.

Navigating 3D space

A key challenge was precise 3D models of Norwegian buildings for accurate solar installation simulation. This required an API returning data in the required file format, then programmatic conversion to 3D integrated with BabylonJS.

Complex data transforms reflected exact roof dimensions and pitch. Using Node.js and NestJS, the team ran calculations needed for 3D model conversion - reliably turning real-world architectural data into interactive 3D visualisations.

Optimal panel and mounting system

A robust panel placement recommendation system required advanced computation. With React and Next.js, an algorithm suggests optimal panel count and layout accounting for chimneys, ladders, and skylights.

The system was extended to recommend mounting systems - integrating variables such as fixings, rails, and local snow load. Node.js and NestJS powered the backend logic for stable, high-yield installations.

Recommendations and management

GMI Software built a panel placement recommendation system with React and Next.js, accounting for constraints such as chimneys. We extended it with mounting recommendations via Node.js and NestJS, and added a MySQL product management module so virtual panels match real products in realistic 3D visualisations.

Results

Solarts development and launch significantly impacted the photovoltaic industry, accelerating and streamlining solar installations. A key achievement: cutting quote preparation time from 10 weeks to two days - a fivefold efficiency gain.

With smart recommendations and realistic 3D visualisations, Solarts helps customers make informed solar decisions - visualising roof placement and choosing the best nearby installer for a more transparent, satisfying process.

Summary

The Solarts project is progress in solar technology and the result of client and team passion. Turning an ambitious idea into reality, we cut customer quote preparation from 10 weeks to 2 days - opening sustainable living to many. Solarts raised standards across the industry.

If your company has big ambitions and wants to drive change, GMI Software can help realise those goals. We believe in innovation and are ready to take that journey with you. Let us build a brighter, greener future together.