The Power of Design: Product Innovation in Sustainable Energy Technologies

E.2 Product Design Process

Exploratory studies were conducted to determine the kind of project and product the SPM idea would develop into. This so-called quick scan included market research (existing products, market segmentation, and corridor of price), user research (observational research, interviews, and focus groups), and rough energy balance calculations (charge generation of PV indoors, device charge demands, and typical use times). The quick scan and the preliminary energy balance estimations (discussed further in this case) indicated that the development of a wireless solar mouse would be feasible. At this stage, three obvious product concepts could be distinguished: (1) an SPM that is worry free, (2) an SPM that requires special user care, and (3) an SPM that has a larger surface area than traditional mice.

Ideally, the SPM would be energetically self-supporting, thus not requiring any special user care. This can only be achieved, however, if the SPM is only occasionally used (option 1). To guarantee 100% solar operation for medium- and heavy-use SPMs, they require pro-active “sunbathing” to recharge their batteries (option 2). An alternative is to increase the PV area (option 3). However, this inevitably leads to a mouse pad–sized product, which would not require special user care due to the sheer inconvenience of sunbathing a larger product. We decided to opt for option 2.

E.2.1 Focus Group Research

So-called focus group research, in which several potential users are ...