Development and Evaluation of Solar Energy B2B Solutions

In order to achieve successful product-service system (PSS) development and commercialization, a methodical approach is inevitable. This approach must be conducted in the development and testing processes of system components as well as in the entire system. Innovative solutions have to gain a high maturity in a minimum time period to put advantages over competitors into practice before they are outdated. In India, distributions of solar home systems are spreading dynamically, but are facing problems in their customer relations. Planning, installation and maintenance of the systems are all weak points in this field. Throughout this project called MEVIS, an integrated solution was developed in order to eliminate these problems: an innovative charge controller as well as an information system, which are both technical components of a business- to-business service solution. In addition to the technical function of the charge controller, the added value is achieved through the accessibility of employees to information, enabling them to more efficiently carry out processes by supporting their decision making or planning according to their individual roles. The overall design was carried out utilizing PSS development methods, elaborated at Fraunhofer IPK and TU Berlin, in order to enable a company to become a PSS provider. During the development process, the evaluation was carried out at several stages. According to the PSS V-model development, results have been tested at an early stage by a proof-of-concept and agent-based simulation technologies. The detailed modeling of components, actors and the environment in the design stage facilitate the creation of the simulation model. This represents the first virtual integration of the various domains in the development after the PSS V-model. With this integrated system model, extensive studies regarding the interaction of the components during the business processes can be conducted along various stages of the development process. The final field test of the overall system was conducted in Bangalore, India. The selected partner, Selco Foundation, has vast experience in distributing solar home systems and carries out all lifecycle activities on itself. To solve their problems in solar energy distribution, the partner uses the developed charge controller and gets the aggregated information according to the needs of the relevant service. The findings from the application of methods of development, evaluation and testing are described in this paper. It analyzes how the provider was enabled to make the transition from a service provider to a PSS provider. The analysis also evaluates how these methods have the power to support future providers to bring innovative business ideas for integrated solutions to a high maturity without having years of experience in PSS.