Interactive 3D visualization and configuration of solar panel layouts in XR

Abstract

The accurate visualization of solar panel layouts plays a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy by improving stakeholder communication and decision-making. Traditional static visualizations lack the ability to dynamically represent environmental factors such as dynamic sun paths and shading or dynamic visualization of power generation, limiting their effectiveness. This work addresses these limitations by leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to enable immersive, interactive 3D visualizations, configurations and simulations of solar panel installations. Our research focused on creating a real-time visualization system that serves various stakeholders through two key solutions. First, our mobile AR solution provides a tabletop experience that allows users to interactively explore solar panel layouts with precise light and shadow calculations, providing an intuitive spatial understanding. Second, and complementarily, our VR solution supports multi-user sessions that enable real-time collaboration and interactive scene customization in a shared virtual space. Furthermore, we present a unified core system that powers both AR and VR applications and ensures scalability, maintainability, and seamless cross-platform interaction. Technical achievements include the integration of an online design tool for exporting and sharing 3D scenes via QR codes, the visualization of realistic environmental simulations, and the facilitation of real-time collaborative adjustments in VR. These innovations significantly improve stakeholder engagement and streamline the design process for solar panel layouts. By demonstrating the effectiveness of immersive visualization techniques, this paper highlights the potential of AR and VR to drive renewable energy solutions, promote informed decision-making and accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy technologies.