A game-like interactive questionnaire for PV application research by participatory design

Part 2: Interactions, Models and ApproachesInternational audienceQuestionnaire is a necessary method for investigation and research, but it often scares participants because of the impression of being long and boring. We developed a game-like questionnaire as an effective method to collect information and ideas from participants. In this paper, we describe the use of this tool to facilitate a photovoltaic (PV) application research, which is led by the University of Southern Denmark. The research is collaboration between local companies to popularize PV technology in both residential and the industrial markets. For such an innovative research, the interactive questionnaire developed by means of participatory design has helped us get a balanced perspective between user needs, market viability, and technical feasibility. Moreover, this tool guided our research focus on the artistic and usability aspects, and also raised design concepts and the concern of practice issues

A game-like interactive questionnaire for PV application research by participatory design

Abstract. Questionnaire is a necessary method for investigation and research, but it often scares participants because of the impression of being long and boring. We developed a game-like questionnaire as an effective method to collect information and ideas from participants. In this paper, we describe the use of this tool to facilitate a photovoltaic (PV) application research, which is led by the University of Southern Denmark. The research is collaboration between local companies to popularize PV technology in both residential and the industrial markets. For such an innovative research, the interactive questionnaire developed by means of participatory design has helped us get a balanced perspective between user needs, market viability, and technical feasibility. Moreover, this tool guided our research focus on the artistic and usability aspects, and also raised design concepts and the concern of practice issues. Keywords: Participatory design, Solar energy, Game-like questionnaire Introduction The growing trend of solar energy attracts more companies and institutions to work together to catch the opportunities in the area of future energy supply. As to a general impression, solar energy has low efficiency, unstable current flow, and high price. But today, the fact is changing faster and faster. A well-designed system and a wellselected place will generate considerable power at a competitive price. A Photovoltaic (PV) system consists of several high technological components. They should be compatible with each other, adaptive to the installation environment, and accordant to the user's need. Participatory design balances the perspectives between different fields and involves more people to think together to contribute design concept