VoltWatch

The perfect solution to predict and optimize solar usage, save money, and reduce environmental impact effortlessly.

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Inspiration

Two of our team members installed solar panels on their homes with hopes of reducing their environmental footprint. However, they quickly noticed that they were still relying heavily on grid-supplied energy, leading to unexpected bills and inefficiencies. This personal experience inspired us to develop VoltWatch, a solution to optimize solar energy usage and promote sustainability.

What it does

VoltWatch records a user's household energy consumption and future weather forecasts. It then predicts how much energy their solar panels will produce. If projected consumption exceeds estimated production, VoltWatch sends an SMS message, alerting users of potential overconsumption or when consumption surpasses production.

How we built it

The project is built upon five key components:

  1. Firebase database: Stores user accounts and solar data.
  2. Flask framework: Routes the website and connects the backend to the frontend.
  3. Python Multilayered Perceptron model: Makes calls to weather APIs for prediction.
  4. HTML/CSS frontend: Presents data from the MLP model and predictions.
  5. SMS messaging: Utilized to deploy texts for necessary alerts.

Challenges we ran into

Some challenges we ran into include finding data to train the models. However, after exploring numerous Weather APIs, we found one that met our requirements. Additionally, designing a user-friendly dashboard to present complex data in a digestible format posed another obstacle. We overcame this by carefully planning the layout and content of the dashboard.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Some accomplishments we are proud of include developing two MLP models for prediction with relatively low RMSE, successfully implementing SMS alerts for over-consumption scenarios, and designing a well-crafted frontend to present data seamlessly.

What we learned

Our learning journey encompassed deploying neural networks, utilizing Twilio for SMS messaging, handling Firebase authentication calls, and designing user interfaces. Moreover, we gained value life skills including time-management and organization.

What's next for VoltWatch

The future of VoltWatch involves implementing a chatbot to enhance accessibility. This feature would provide users with detailed explanations of dashboard data, offer personalized recommendations, and address any queries users may have, thereby furthering our mission of promoting sustainable energy practices.

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