Solar System Online Store

Senior Project

by

Sofian Al Shoha - 12033024

Submitted to the School of Engineering of the

Lebanese International University

Beirut, Lebanon

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

Spring 2022-2023

Approved by:

Supervisor

Dr. Moustafa Saleh

Committee Member

Dr. Mohamad Raad

 DEDICATION
I dedicate this project to my incredible family, whose unwavering support and belief in me

have been the driving force behind my accomplishments. Your encouragement and faith in

my abilities have lifted me up even during moments of self-doubt. Also To my family and

instructors, thank you for being my pillars of strength and for believing in me every step of

the way. This project is a testament to our collective efforts, and I am forever grateful for

your unwavering support.

Sofian Al Shoha,

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all those who have contributed to

the realization of this initiative. First and foremost, we express our deepest gratitude to our

supervisor, Dr. Moustafa Saleh, whose invaluable guidance and support have been

instrumental in making this project a reality. His continuous assistance and wise counsel have

guided us through every stage of development.

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Mohamad Raad, our

esteemed committee member, for his valuable insights and feedback, which have greatly

enriched our project.

Additionally, we extend our thanks to Dr. Amin el haj and Dr. Majd Ghareeb for their

unwavering assistance and advice throughout our time at Lebanese International University.

Their expertise and guidance have been invaluable in addressing our concerns and

challenges.

Furthermore, we are deeply grateful to the esteemed senior project committee and the

dedicated members of the Engineering Faculty board. Their professionalism, dedication, and

strong work ethic have instilled a sense of pride in us as students of this esteemed university.

Lastly, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our parents and relatives for their

unwavering faith in us and their unending support. Their encouragement and belief in our

abilities have been a constant source of motivation as we worked towards completing this

project.

To all those mentioned above, we are truly grateful for your contributions and

support. This project would not have been possible without your guidance and

encouragement.

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 ABSTRACT

This senior project focuses on the development of an online platform called Solar

System Online Store. The purpose of this platform is to facilitate the buying and selling of

solar system products. For seller companies, this platform provides a means to showcase their

products to potential customers. They can post their products, including detailed descriptions

and pricing information. Additionally, the platform enables sellers to manage their inventory

and update product listings as needed. On the customer side, this online store offers a user-

friendly interface where customers can browse through a wide range of solar system

products. They can compare prices, read product reviews, and make informed purchasing

decisions. The platform also provides a secure and convenient payment gateway for

customers to complete their purchases. Furthermore, the platform includes features for the

manager of the online store. The manager has the authority to review and verify the products

posted by selling companies, ensuring that they meet the quality and compatibility standards

set by the website. This helps maintain the integrity of the platform and ensures that

customers have access to reliable and trustworthy products. In this report, we will delve into

the significance of this online store, present relevant diagrams to illustrate the system's

functionality, discuss the implementation of the design, and explore potential future

enhancements that can further improve the platform's capabilities and user experience.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION 2

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 3

ABSTRACT 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

LIST OF FIGURES 9

LIST OF TABLES 12

LIST OF SYMBOLS 13

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3 General overview of the project 3

1.4 Thesis Outline 4

CHAPTER 2 Survey of Existing Methods and Similar Systems 6

2.1 Introduction 6

2.2 SolarCity 6

2.3 GOGreenSolar 7

2.4 SunPower 8

2.5 Systems Comparison 9

2.6 Conclusion and Motivation 11

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CHAPTER 3 System Design 12

3.1 Introduction 12

3.2 Requirements and Specification Analysis 12

3.2.1 Functional Requirements 12

3.2.2 Use Case Diagrams 13

3.2.2.1 User Domain 15

3.2.2.2 Customer Domain 16

3.2.2.3 Company Domain 17

3.2.2.4 Manager Domain 19

3.3 System Architecture 20

3.4 Class Diagrams 21

3.5 Sequence Diagrams 21

3.6 Activity Diagrams 23

3.7 Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams 24

3.8 Non-Technical Aspects 25

3.8.1 Financial Viability 25

3.8.2 Stakeholders 27

3.8.3 Scope 27

3.8.4 Risks 27

3.8.5 Schedule and Milestones 28

3.8.6 Ethical and Social Considerations 28

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 3.8.7 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations 28

3.8.8 Relevant Standards 28

3.9 Conclusion 29

CHAPTER 4 Implementation/Simulation and Testing 30

4.1 Introduction 30

4.2 Implementation Tools 30

4.3 Implementation Summary 31

4.4 Test Cases and Acceptance Criteria 63

4.5 Conclusion 66

CHAPTER 5 Conclusion and Future Work 68

5.1 Conclusion 68

5.2 Future Work 68

APPENDIX A: Implementation Details 70

APPENDIXB: USER Manual 71

APPENDIXC: deployment and configuration Manual 72

REFERENCES 73

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Website Layout 7

Figure 2-2 Website layout 8

Figure 2-3 Website layout 9

Figure 3-1: Usecase diagram 14

Figure 3-2: User sitemap 15

Figure 3-3: Customer sitemap 16

Figure 3-4: Company sitemap 17

Figure 3-5: Manager sitemap 19

Figure 3-6: Scheduling tasks and milestones 28

Figure 4-1 database 32

Figure 4-2: Home page 34

Figure 4-3: Customer registration page 34

Figure 4-4: Company registration page 35

Figure 4-5: Login page 36

Figure 4-6: Admin dashboard page 37

Figure 4-7: Seller applicant page 38

Figure 4-8: Seller applicant details page 38

Figure 4-9: Seller applicant history page 39

Figure 4-10: Category page 40

Figure 4-11: Item page 41

Figure 4-12: Offer page 42

Figure 4-13: Offer item page 42

Figure 4-14: Post and History page 43

Figure 4-15: Post and history item details page 43

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Figure 4-16: Post and history offer details page 44

Figure 4-17: Control feedback page 45

Figure 4-18: Customer feedback details page 45

Figure 4-19: Dashboard page 46

Figure 4-20: Category page 47

Figure 4-21: Add category page 47

Figure 4-22: Edit category page 48

Figure 4-23: Item page 48

Figure 4-24: Add item page 49

Figure 4-25: Edit item page 49

Figure 4-26: Offer page 50

Figure 4-27: Make offer page 50

Figure 4-28: Offer item display page 51

Figure 4-29: Confirm offer page 51

Figure 4-30: Edit offer page 52

Figure 4-31: Post and history details 52

Figure 4-32: Home page after company login 54

Figure 4-33: View all companies page 54

Figure 4-34: Company details page 55

Figure 4-35: View categories page 56

Figure 4-36: View items page 56

Figure 4-37: View offer page 57

Figure 4-38: Item details and feedback section page 58

Figure 4-39: Offer details and feedback section page 59

Figure 4-40: Service section 61

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Figure 4-41: Display existing items page 61

Figure 4-42: Choosing option before logging in 62

Figure 4-43: Invalid email and password 62

Figure 4-44: Category added alert message 63

Figure 4-45: Category updated alert message 63

Figure 4-46: Item added alert message 63

Figure 4-47: Item updated alert message 63

Figure 4-48: Item added to offer alert message 64

Figure 4-49: item already exist inside the offer 64

Figure 4-50: Chosen quantity more than quantity in the stock alert message 64

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1 Comparison Table Based on Graphical Interfaces 9

Table 3-1 Cost Benefit Analysis 1 26

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 LIST OF SYMBOLS

PV: Solar Photovoltaic

CSP: Concentrated Solar Thermal systems

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor

VS code: Visual Studio Code

CSS: Cascading Style Sheets

HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language

JS: JavaScript

CD: Compact Disc

Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity

IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

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 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Solar energy has been a great benefit for human kind and the environment since it’s

been invented by Charles Fritts in 1883 where he coated a thin layer of selenium with an

extremely thin layer of gold. The resulting cells had a conversion electrical efficiency of only

about 1%. This invention led to the launching of a movement for producing solar energy [1].

Solar energy, derived from the sun's solar radiation (also known as electromagnetic

radiation), offers a significant potential for harnessing light on Earth's surface. Photovoltaic

(PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) are the two primary types of solar energy

technologies. PV technology utilizes solar panels equipped with PV cells to absorb sunlight,

generating electrical charges within the cells that create a flow of electricity. On the other

hand, CSP technology concentrates and reflects sunlight using mirrors, converting it into heat

and directing it onto an energy collector receiver for electricity generation or storage. Both

PV and CSP systems require a specific set of components and tools to effectively harness the

electricity produced from solar energy. These components and tools are essential for

maximizing the benefits derived from solar power utilization [2].

Currently, several countries are facing a shortage of electricity. Lebanon, in particular,

is grappling with major energy issues in the wake of an economic crisis. The country is

experiencing a severe lack of electricity in many regions, and is solely relying on motor

generators, which can be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, some regions have limited

electricity usage, and residents are billed based on the amount of kilowatt-hours (KhW) they

consume, while others pay according to the amount of amperage they use. Furthermore,

electricity is supplied according to a predetermined schedule.

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 Finally, Electricity is an essential component of modern life, with virtually every aspect

of daily life dependent on it. From lighting our homes and powering our appliances, it has

been our daily routine. Solar panels have been a friendly use for the environment and an

excellent choice for alternative energy sources and overwhelmingly safe. Solar panels have

been proven to be a safe and reliable source of renewable energy. In fact, a 2013 study

conducted in Germany found that only 0.006% of the 1.3 million photovoltaic systems

installed in the country at the time caused a fire.[3].

1.2 Problem Statement

Nowadays With electricity fees steadily increasing every year, individuals are

seeking alternative resources to mitigate the impact of this inflation. However, it is evident

that there is still a lack of awareness among the general population regarding the numerous

benefits of solar energy.

First of all in the long run Solar Technologies can save money but the initial cost of

Solar panels are quite expensive for some customers. This is because some Solar

Technologies need materials that are not easy to acquire for production. Although this is

primarily a problem for PV technology and not CSP technology. In order to boost the supply

of rare materials it’s necessary to recycle PV material and other nanotechnology. This would

increase the solar cell efficiency and find those materials in greater abundance. [4]

On the other hand installing Solar panels and other equipment requires expertise

because it's very complex. This makes it difficult to provide installation services or to sell

Solar panels or equipment to customers. Customers might not have the skills or knowledge

that is required for installation. The Solar panels will also regularly need maintenance and

occasionally repairs. This can also be costly and time-consuming.

A down side of solar technologies is that it’s not always as effective. In certain areas

with limited sunlight or on cloudy days the output of the Solar panels will not be high. This is
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because Solar panels are dependent on sunlight. In order to make the Solar panels work

effectively they have to be cleaned from dust as well.

In today's day and age, the people of Lebanon are actively seeking alternative energy

sources to rely on, as opposed to being solely dependent on motor generators. No one likes to

be at the mercy of a single energy source that bills them based on consumption or a certain

amount of amperage used. Solar energy presents numerous advantages, such as the absence

of limitations on power schedules (as who enjoys sitting in the dark?), and a lack of concern

over consumption levels, as long as the sun is shining on the panels.

All the factors that have been mentioned above will have a negative impact on

customers between the cost of products and installation, maintenance, also the weather and

finding the right products.

1.3 General overview of the project

This web-based project serves as both a review platform and a marketplace for solar

energy within people's local areas. Its primary objective is to enhance people's experiences

and provide those interested in solar energy with a comprehensive overview. By utilizing a

database, sellers can upload their products and locations, enabling users to access the best

offers available to them. This platform not only offers reviews but also serves as a

marketplace, connecting buyers with sellers and facilitating transactions related to solar

energy products.

The System will provide access for three types of users. The users are as follows:

customer, manager and the solar system company seller. Firstly the admin or manager can

manage the application page where he will be able to view company product descriptions, in

which he can accept or decline the credibility and existence of this company. In addition to a

section called history, the manager can refer to it to see the applicants that he has rejected or

accepted. Additionally, managers have the capability to include solar system information as a
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helpful guide for customers interested in purchasing solar system products. This information

can be presented in the form of a solar system category, allowing companies to offer

individual items or complete packages. Additionally, the sellers affiliated with the company

will have access to the "Sell" section of the platform. They will have the option to sell

individual items or packages, and upon selecting their preference, they will be directed to a

form where they can provide details such as the company name and item specifications. This

streamlined process ensures a seamless experience for sellers.

On the other hand, customers will be directed to the "Buy" section, where they will

encounter a diverse range of solar energy products from various companies. They will have

the convenience of placing their orders through phone calls or emails. Furthermore,

customers will have the opportunity to leave feedback and rate the products they have

purchased. The platform will also incorporate multiple filters, such as company name,

categories (single or package items), price, and more, to facilitate customers in finding their

desired products easily.

Moreover, customers will have access to valuable solar system information, enabling

them to make informed decisions when selecting their products. This feature will empower

customers to choose their solar energy solutions wisely, ensuring a satisfying and beneficial

experience overall.

1.4 Thesis Outline

The report is structured as follows:

- Introduction: this chapter delves into the history and introduction of solar systems,

highlighting the associated challenges. Furthermore, it explains the benefits of adopting solar

energy and how it can be more accessible to individuals.

- The second chapter provides the similarities of the companies and the features that’s have

and what’s the differences between them and us

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- The third chapter demonstrates the UML diagrams on which this project is built,

as well as technical and non-technical elements.

- The fourth chapter focuses on the implementation tools and algorithms that were

utilized to create this system.

- The fifth chapter contains a conclusion as well as future plans for the project of

this thesis.

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 CHAPTER 2
SURVEY OF EXISTING METHODS AND SIMILAR SYSTEMS

2.1 Introduction

In this chapter, we will highlight three globally renowned companies that are actively

involved in the development and sale of solar panel technology. Our objective is to conduct a

comparative analysis of different solar energy systems, examining their respective advantages

and disadvantages. By doing so, we aim to draw meaningful conclusions about the

approaches taken by solar energy companies and the underlying motivations driving our

research.

2.2 SolarCity

SolarCity [5] was an American company founded in 2006 by Elon Musk, which

provided solar energy services, including installation, financing, and maintenance of solar

panels for residential and commercial properties. In 2016, it became a subsidiary of Tesla,

Inc. and was rebranded as Tesla Energy. The SolarCity website provides a range of features

for customers interested in solar power, including:

Solar panel design and installation services: The website offers information on solar

panel systems and their installation, including a solar calculator to estimate the potential cost

savings of installing solar panels on your property.

Support and maintenance: SolarCity offers ongoing support and maintenance

services for solar panel systems, ensuring that they remain in good working order and

continue to produce energy efficiently.

Sustainability: The website also highlights the environmental benefits of solar energy

and the role that it can play in reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change.

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 Figure 2-1 Website Layout

2.3 GOGreenSolar

GoGreenSolar [6] is an online marketplace for solar panel systems and related

products, founded in 2006 with the mission of promoting the adoption of renewable energy.

The company provides a range of features for customers interested in purchasing and

installing solar panels, including:

Solar panel products: The website offers a wide range of solar panel products,

including panels, inverters, batteries, mounting systems, and accessories, from top

manufacturers in the industry.

Design and installation services: GoGreenSolar provides design and installation

services for residential and commercial solar panel systems, with a focus on customizing

systems to fit the unique needs of each customer.

Education and resources: GoGreenSolar provide a wealth of educational resources on

solar power, including guides on solar panel installation, system design, and maintenance, as

well as news and updates on industry developments.

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 Customer support: The company offers comprehensive customer support services,

including technical assistance, warranty support, and a return policy for products.

Figure 2-2 Website layout

2.4 SunPower

SunPower is a solar energy company that specializes in designing, manufacturing, and

installing high-efficiency solar panels for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects.

The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in California.

The SunPower website offers a range of features for customers interested in solar

power, including: Solar panel products: The website provides information on SunPower's

solar panel products, which are known for their high efficiency and durability. The company

offers panels for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects.

Design and installation services: SunPower provides design and installation services for

solar panel systems, with a focus on customizing systems to fit the unique needs of each

customer.

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 Financing options: The website offers financing options for solar panel systems,

including loans and lease agreements, to help customers afford the upfront costs of

installation.

Figure 2-3 Website layout

Ref: https://us.sunpower.com/

2.5 Systems Comparison

In this section, we will highlight the advantages and flaws of the above-mentioned

methods with respect to certain criteria and summarize these points in the following tables.

Table 2-1 Comparison Table Based on Graphical Interfaces

Criterion 1
System 1 System 2 System 3
Graphical Interface
Good user interface   
Easy and effective navigation   
Simple and professional Design   
Responsive   

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 Table 2-2: Comparison Table Based on Functionality

Criterion 2
System 1 System 2 System 3
Content and Functionality
Quality content structure   
Usability   
Dynamic content 
 

Content management system ✔ � ✔

Table 2- 3: Comparison Table Based on Features

Criterion 3
System 1 System 2 System 3
Features
Ordering   
Customer feedback   
Panel calculation   
Registration form and login   

2.6 Conclusion and Motivation

Our website serves as a comprehensive marketplace for solar products, open to all

investors and suppliers within the field. This inclusive approach fosters fair competition and

helps promote affordable prices for customers. Unlike other systems offered by companies

that only sell their products individually, our website takes a different approach. We provide

a unique calculator that considers a customer's power usage and recommends the necessary

products to fully power their home. Customers can input their usage in either Am or W,

considering the economic crisis in Lebanon.

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 Given the electricity shortages in Lebanon and concerns about potential scams, we

strive to alleviate such worries. Our website showcases companies that transparently display

their product prices and indicate the quality of their offerings. By providing this information,

we aim to build trust and confidence among customers.

In addition to the three featured companies, our website aims to bring together all solar

product companies in one convenient place, simplifying the process for users. This user-

friendly approach ensures a seamless experience for customers seeking solar energy

solutions.

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 CHAPTER 3
SYSTEM DESIGN

3.1 Introduction

In this chapter, we will provide a detailed overview of the project requirements and its

functionality. To help illustrate the interactions between the system and its users, we will

include use case diagrams. Additionally, we will explain the backend design and sequential

flow of the web application by including state diagrams, class diagrams, and sequence

diagrams. By including these diagrams, we aim to provide a clear understanding of the

system's design and functionality, making it easier for readers to comprehend the project's

unique features.

3.2 Requirements and Specification Analysis

In this section, we will outline the requirements and use cases for our project, which

will improve user-friendliness and provide high-quality service to all users, whether they are

customers, companies, or managers. By understanding these requirements and use cases,

readers will gain a better understanding of the system's structure, specifications, and unique

features. We believe that these elements will set our project apart from others on the market

and provide a seamless user experience.

3.2.1 Functional Requirements

In this section, we will provide a list of operations and activities that our system offers

to enable users to complete their tasks efficiently. By outlining these functions, both the

development team and stakeholders can have a better understanding of the system's

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capabilities. These functional requirements describe how the system behaves under specific

conditions, providing a clear understanding of its functionality. By including this list, we

hope to make it easier for all users to utilize the system and achieve their tasks effectively. As

following

● The system will provide a user login or sign up interface.

● The system will provide email verification for new customers that registered.

● The system will provide customers overall information about solar energy products

offers and name of companies.

● The system will provide for the companies to edit, add, history for the items or offers.

● The system will provide for the manager to see history of application requests and

accept them or not.

3.2.2 Use Case Diagrams

This section will provide an in-depth breakdown and display of the use case

diagrams for our system. Through these diagrams, readers will gain insight into the actors

that interact with the system and the basic flow of its behavior. Specifically, we will

showcase use case diagrams for Users, customers, companies, and managers, highlighting the

actions that each of these actors can perform within the system.

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Figure 3-4: Usecase diagram

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3.2.2.1 User Domain

Figure 3-5: User sitemap

User Narrative Identification: Narrative identification of the use case for general

users of solar energy website is demonstrated in the table below.

Table 3-1 User Domain

User case name: Registration

User Case ID: 01

Primary Actor new user

Description: To access all the features on the website,

new users must first register an account.

Events and steps: Step 1: The homepage interface allows

the user to select either "buyer" or
"seller" and redirects them to the
login/signup interface.
Step 2: If the user selects "buyer" and
signs up, they will be prompted to fill
out all the required information.
Step 3: Once the new user completes the
signup process, they will be directed to
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 the homepage as a customer.

Conclusion Web page is made for customers,

companies and managers which makes it
simple to login and signup.

3.2.2.2 Customer Domain

Figure 3-6: Customer sitemap

Customer Narrative Identification: Narrative identification of the use case for registered

customers Solar energy website is demonstrated in the table below.

Table 3-2 Customer Domain

Use Case Name: General view of power energy products

Use Case ID: 02

Primary Actor Customer

Description The use case describes the functionality

available to customers on the webpage.
Customers can view items and their prices,
as well as any available offers. After making
a purchase, customers can leave a review for
the item they bought.

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 Events And Steps Step 1: The customer enters their email and
password in the buyer interface on the
homepage.
Step 2: The customer is then presented with
an overview of the website, including
categories, company names, and solar
energy products.
Step 3: If the customer decides to make a
purchase, they can add a review for the item
they purchased.

Conclusion The webpage is designed to simplify

people's lives by making it easy to purchase
solar energy products. Customers can
compare prices and quality of different
products to find the best fit for their needs.

3.2.2.3 Company Domain

Figure 3-7: Company sitemap

Company Narrative Identification: Narrative identification of the use case for

registered Companies of solar energy Website is demonstrated in the table below.

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 Table 3-3 Company Domain

Use Case Name: Selling Solar energy products

Use Case ID: 03

Primary Actor Company seller

Description The use case describes how companies can

add their products and make changes to their
prices or names if needed. They can also
view the homepage as a regular customer,
but they will not be able to leave reviews for
products.

Events And Steps Step 1: Company sellers can access the

seller interface on the homepage by entering
their login email and password.
Step 2: After logging in, the application will
direct them to the homepage, but company
sellers will also have access to a dashboard.
Step 3: Within the dashboard, company
sellers can request to add new categories for
solar energy products and create offers for
their items.

Conclusion The web application is designed to be user-

friendly for company sellers, with easy steps
to add their items and view their history.
They can easily track the status of their
requests and see if they have been accepted.

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3.2.2.4 Manager Domain

Figure 3-8: Manager sitemap

Manager Narrative Identification: Narrative identification use case for managers

organizing and supervising the Web application is discussed in the table below.

Table 3-4 Manager Domain

Use Case Name: Managing the homepage and the company's

requests.

Use Case ID: 04

Primary Actor Manager

Description The use case describes how the manager has

access to the entire web application,
including the ability to view all of the
products listed by companies and the
number of registered customers.

Events And Steps Step 1: The manager can access as buyer

interface on the homepage and log in.
Step 2: After logging in, the application will
direct the manager to the homepage, where
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 they will have access to a dashboard.
Step 3: Within the dashboard, the manager
can review new company registration
requests and view the status of previously
registered companies' product requests,
including whether they have been accepted
or not.

Conclusion The managers are responsible for ensuring

that only solar energy products are listed on
the webpage, making it a reliable resource
for customers who need those products.

3.3 System Architecture

1. Frontend (Client-side)

● HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files: These files will create the user interface for

the website, which allows users to view and interact with the solar energy

companies and products. They will be designed to be responsive and

accessible on any device.

● Search bar and filtering options: These components will allow users to search

and filter the list of solar energy companies and products based on specific

criteria, such as location, price, and type of product.

2. Backend (Server-side)

The backend of your web page will handle the business logic and data storage

for the solar energy companies, products, and prices. This includes the

following components:

● Web Server: This component will receive HTTP requests from the frontend

and respond with the appropriate data. It will handle user authentication and

authorization to ensure that only authorized users can view and edit the data.

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 ● Database: This component will store information about the solar energy

companies and products, such as company name, location, product type, and

price. The database will be designed to be scalable and reliable.

● APIs: You can expose APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow

the frontend to fetch and update the solar energy companies, products, and

prices data from the backend.

Figure 3 6: System architecture 1

3.4 Class Diagrams

There is no class diagram because our website is only working on PHP and

framework

3.5 Sequence Diagrams

The sequence diagram for customer, company and manager.

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Figure 3-7: Company sequence diagram

Figure 3-8: Customer sequence diagram

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 Figure 3-9: Manager sequence diagram

3.6 Activity Diagrams

Figure 3-840 demonstrates how activities are coordinated to provide services for

company customers or managers at different levels of abstraction, utilizing an activity

diagram. This type of diagram is particularly useful when an event needs to be achieved

through a set of coordinated operations, or when events in a single use case must relate to one

another. This is especially relevant in cases where activities may overlap and require

coordination. Through the use of activity diagrams, we are able to clearly illustrate the

sequence of events required to achieve a specific outcome within the system. This provides a

valuable tool for the development team and stakeholders to understand how the system

operates and how different use cases are interconnected.

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 Figure 3-10: Activity diagram

3.7 Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams

In order to organize the data within the application’s database, an entity relationship

diagram (ERD) is represented in Figure showing the entities and their relationships to each

other.

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 Figure 3-11: E/R diagram

3.8 Non-Technical Aspects

3.8.1 Financial Viability

As we are well aware, the financial viability of a project is a crucial factor in its

success. With that in mind, let us delve into the details of this web development software

project. The project's ongoing costs will be minimal, primarily comprising website hosting

and domain upkeep, as illustrated in Table 4. To generate revenue, the website will act as a

platform for companies and sellers to receive orders. The revenue model will entail charging

a percentage fee on the product's profit, as outlined in Table 5. For example, if a customer

places an order for two items through the website, the company seller will be charged a

modest 5% fee on the product's profit. Additionally, discrete advertisements will be displayed

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on the website for customers, thereby creating a stream of passive income for the owners

without compromising the user experience. Assuming the website is successful in generating

profits, it is anticipated that a small fee of $10 will be levied on companies to keep their

products listed on the platform. Furthermore, a percentage of their revenues will also be

charged.

Cost Benefit Analysis

Table 3-2 Cost Benefit Analysis 1

Item Cost (per year)

Website domain -15$

website hosting -216$

SSL Certificate -21$

Marketing -1000$ one year only

item Revenue

1 to 2 products +%5

3 or more products +%7

full Package +%15

Ads average of 1000 Visitors +8-20$ Depends on the ads by google

26
3.8.2 Stakeholders

Benefit talking, customers will have access to a wide range of solar products and will

be able to purchase the best product that suits their needs. Company sellers will have an

opportunity to expand their business and reach more customers. Managers will have a

platform to manage and monitor the solar products and companies. Ultimately, this project

aims to promote solar energy as an alternative and sustainable energy source and help

Lebanon overcome its energy crisis. Solar energy does not cause any harm to the

environment or to people. The project mainly focuses on the benefits and challenges of solar

energy.

3.8.3 Scope

The project is to create a web-based review system for solar energy products. The

system will have three types of users: customers, managers, and solar system company

sellers. Customers can browse and order solar energy products, provide feedback and ratings.

Managers can manage product descriptions, approve or reject companies, and add solar

system information. Company sellers can upload product information and choose to sell

single items or packages. The project will not involve physical installation or maintenance of

solar energy products.

3.8.4 Risks

There are a few risks we need to keep in mind when it comes to this project. For one

thing, we might have a hard time getting companies to show their products on our website if

they don't see us as a useful platform. And if people can't even find our website, that's

obviously going to be a problem since it's supposed to be helping them out. But, let's keep in

27
mind that these risks are less likely to happen if we can make it easy for people to get their

hands on solar energy products. As long as we focus on providing a valuable service and

making it user-friendly, we should be able to overcome these potential hurdles.

3.8.5 Schedule and Milestones

What will be completed and when. Here is an example

Figure 3-9: Scheduling tasks and milestones

3.8.6 Ethical and Social Considerations

Ethically speaking there is an issue that should be put under consideration which is user

data Email address and phone number when customers are registering their data should be

kept confidential and only used for the intended purpose.

3.8.7 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations

This project is web-based. It has no impact on the environment but it’s actually

focusing on spreading people’s awareness of green energy.

3.8.8 Relevant Standards

The standards used in building our system:

1. Wi-Fi Standards.
28
 2. SQL Standards.

3. Front end Standards (HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Java Script).

4. Back end Standards (PHP Standards).

3.9 Conclusion

In conclusion, although there may be challenges related to the promotion and marketing

of solar power products, there are also numerous opportunities to assist customers in saving

money and reducing their environmental footprint. By adopting a strategic and proactive

approach, you can establish a successful business that has a positive impact on the world.

29
 CHAPTER 4
IMPLEMENTATION/SIMULATION AND TESTING

4.1 Introduction

In order to complete the system for the website, it is essential to emphasize the testing

and implementation that lead to the project's completion. These stages are introduced and

explained in detail in this chapter. This chapter will also demonstrate how the SOLAR

SYSTEM ONLINE STORE website was built by combining its frontend and backend

elements. An overall conclusion is given to wrap up the work.

4.2 Implementation Tools

The following technologies and techniques can be used to construct the web application

tools, which are necessary for the creation and testing of the SOLAR SYSTEM ONLINE

STORE website:

 XAMPP Server: Allows you to display web pages and save data into databases. A

web server with PHP and phpmyadmin is created.

 Relational databases and database management systems phpmyadmin is open-source

and free. Like other relational databases, Phpmyadmin stores data in tables with rows

and columns [9].

Most Linux Web servers use PHP, an open-source programming language and

interpreter. According to the PHP FAQ [12], the term PHP, which was originally abbreviated

for Personal Home Page Tools, is now known as PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor.

 PHP was used for the server-side programming and database integration of our

web application. This is done with VS Code++ [8].

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  The languages of HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript are used to implement

the code. The markup language HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language,

defines the structure of online pages. The terms CSS and Bootstrap refer to the

languages used to describe how Web pages are presented, including their colors,

designs, and fonts [10]. JavaScript is a dynamic programming language that

may be used to build a variety of things, including websites, web applications,

games, and more. It can be used to add dynamic features to websites that

HTML [11] and CSS [11] alone cannot.

 The project will not use any hardware components.

4.3 Implementation Summary

When users access the SOLAR SYSTEM ONLINE WEBSITE, the home page will be

shown and will assist them in deciding whether their primary objective is to be a customer or

a business (to SELL or BUY solar products). Additionally, customers will be able to access

the services section, which will assist those who don't know how solar systems work to

choose their best offer.

The first topic to cover is the database while I create a table contains all the topics need

it to our website and how the data will be saved to can access to all data the figure below

shows the tables.

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 Home Page:

Figure 4-2 shows the main page, which users can access to log in to if they are already

users or register if they are not currently users. Additionally, our website has two sign-up and

login sites that are shared by our three users, managers, companies, and customers.

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 Figure 4-11: Home page
Registration:

After selecting the buyer area, the customer will be taken to the customer login page,

where they will click the Sign up link to take them to the customer Sign up page (see Figure

4-2), where they will be requested to fill out a form and submit it before being taken to the

admin-customer login page (see Figure 4-3).

Figure 4-12: Customer registration page

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As for the companies, after selecting the seller section, sellers are taken to the seller login

page, where they can click the Sign Up link to take them to the seller Sign up page (see

Figure 4-3), where they will be asked to complete an information form before being taken to

the seller log in page (see Figure 4-3), where they can log in.

Figure 4-13: Company registration page

Login Page:

The information required to identify whether a user is a manager, company, or customer

is the only variation between the admin-customer and company’s login pages' designs (Figure

4-5).

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 Figure 4-14: Login page

1. Admin Pages:

Dashboard:

The dashboard page (Figure 4-6) will display three boxes that show how many

categories, items, and offers are accepted by the manager. Additionally, we have two

tables that show posted items and offers with their specifics.

35
Seller Applicant Details:

Companies are registered and waiting for manager approval, as shown on the seller

applicant page (Figure 4-7), in order to have access to the dashboard and other areas. As

shown in Figure 4-8, the view all button helps the manager examine and view the

information about the companies.

Figure 4-16: Seller applicant page

Figure 4-17: Seller applicant details page

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Seller History:

Figure 4-9 illustrates how the Seller History Page lists the accepted and rejected

companies along with their specifics.

Figure 4-18: Seller applicant history page

Categories:

Each company's category is listed on the category page (Figure 4-10), along with

information about it and two buttons that will determine whether or not the company can

add new items or offers to its categories. For instance, if a company Z has a category

called "battery" but the manager rejects it, company Z will not be able to add items to that

category.

37
 Figure 4-19: Category page

Items:

The item page (Figure 4-11) will show all of the companies items together with their

specifications and two accept and reject buttons that will affect the businesses planning to

post these items.

Figure 4-20: Item page

38
Offers:

All of the company offers will be listed on the offer page (Figure 4-12), together with

their specifications, and two accept/reject buttons that will have an impact on the

companies planning to publish these offers. Additionally, there is a button to view the

items inside each offer (Figure 4-13).

Figure 4-21: Offer page

39
 Figure 4-22: Offer item page

Post and History:

Along with accepted items and offers, the post and history page (Figure 4-14) displays

a number of sections that have been posted. When accessing view details button, Figures

4-15 and 4-16 display information about the company and the items if the accessed button

is an offer.

40
 Figure 4-24: Post and history item details page

Figure 4-25: Post and history offer details page

Control Feedbacks:

Control feedback page shows customers feedbacks and rating items and offers in

addition to a button “view All Feedback” that will display the customer message, item

image, item name and feedback date and the manager can delete this review if there any

unappropriated message or image.

41
 Figure 4-26: Control feedback page

Figure 4-27: Customer feedback details page

2. Company:

Dashboard:
42
 The dashboard page (Figure 4-19) will display three boxes that show how many

categories, items, and offers are accepted but not posted. Additionally, we have two tables

that show posted items and offers with their specifics.

Figure 4-28: Dashboard page

Categories:

Companies can view their newly added categories on this page as depicted in Figure

4-20, as well as create new categories and change their existing categories as illustrated in

Figure 4-21 and Figure 4-22.

43
Figure 4-29: Category page

Figure
Figure 19: Add
4-30: Addcategory page page
category

44
 Figure
Figure 4-31:20: Edit
Edit category page page
category

Items:

Companies can view their newly added items on this page as depicted in Figure 4-23,

as well as create new items and change their existing items as illustrated in Figure 4-24

and Figure 4-25.

Figure
Figure 21: Item
4-32: pagepage
Item

45
 Figure 4-33: Add item page

Figure 4-34: Edit item page

Offers:

Companies can view their current offers as shown in Figure 4-26. They can create a

new offer by clicking the "Make an offer" button, which will open a new page (Figure 4-

27) containing all company accepted items that will help companies to add their items

46
with their desired quantity. Additionally, all the added items to the offer will be placed

and edited in offer item page (Figure 4-28), in which companies can delete items if they

want to change their offer. The last step to place the offer is to click the “Confirm offer”

button (Figure 4-29). Also As seen in Figure 4-30, businesses can also change their

offers.

Figure 4-35: Offer page

Figure 4-36: Make offer page

47
Figure 4-37: Offer item display page

Figure
Figure 4-38:27: Confirm
Confirm offer page page
offer

48
 Figure 4-39: Edit offer page

Post and History:

Companies will have the option to view their accepted items and offers and post or

unpots them, meaning that any item or offer that is posted will appear on the

customer side, but unposted or accepted items and offers will not (Figure 4-31).

FigureFigure
4-40: 29:Post
Post and
andhistory detailsdetails
history

49
 3. Customer:

Home Page:

When a customer logs in, they are taken to the home page (Figure 4-32), where they

can view the companies, categories, products, and offers that have been posted by the

businesses in addition to the about us, contact us, and service sections. Finally we have the

search bar which will help customers search for their needs easily.

50
 Figure Figure
4-41:30: Home page
Home page after company
after login login
company

View Company:

When a customer clicks the "view all companies" button, a new page will open up

showing all accepted firms, as shown in Figure 4-33. If the customer, however, selects a

particular company, a new page will open up showing all categories, products, and offers that

this company has (Figure 4-34).

Figure 4-42: View all companies page

51
 Figure 4-43: Company details page

Categories, Items and Offers:

As we can see the three Figures 4-35, 4-35 and 4-37 that are showing all categories accepted,

all items and offer that are posted by the company.

52
Figure 4-44: View categories page

Figure 4-45: View items page

53
 Figure 4-46: View offer page

Item page:

After choosing specific item, item details page will be shown (Figure 4-37) that will

help customers to know more specification about the item and they will be able to view

and add their feedback and rating stars after buying and testing these items which will

help other customers know how to choose the best item that they need.

Figure 4-47: Item details and feedback section page

54
Offer page:

After choosing specific offer, offer details page will be shown (Figure 4-38) that will

help customers to know more specification about the offer and what items it contains,

additionally they will be able to view and add their feedback and rating stars after buying

and testing this offer which will help other customers know how to choose the best offer

that they need.

Figure 4-48: Offer details and feedback section page

Services:

This calculator is specifically designed for customers who are considering future solar

panel installations but are unsure about their requirements for panels, batteries, and

inverters. Its purpose is to assist customers in making informed decisions by providing

55
personalized recommendations based on their desired current consumption in fig(4-40),

whether it is 5A or 10A. and the formulas I used

P= V/I in watt

Ohms law U= R*I

Figure 4-49: Service section

Figure 4-50: Display existing items page

56
4.4 Test Cases and Acceptance Criteria

As shown in Figure 4-42, an alert message is displayed on the top of the figure to let

website users to log in first in able to access the desired companies, categories, item and

offers.

Figure 4-51: Choosing option before logging in

The email address and password must be entered in the correct format in figures 4-37.

Thus, customers will be prompted to use the requested format if they don't enter an email

with the same pattern as [email protected]. The password should also be eight characters long, just like

the username. One or more of these symbols should be composed of capital letters, small

letters, numbers, small characters, and capital symbols. They will therefore be prompted to

complete this field if the password they enter does not comply with these requirements.

57
 Figure 4-52: Invalid email and password

Figure 4-44 and Figure 4-45 shows an alert message that will appear after adding or

editing a category.

Figure 4-53: Category added alert message

Figure 4-54: Category updated alert message

Figure 4-46 and Figure 4-47 shows an alert message that will appear after adding or

editing an item.

58

Figure 4-55: Item added alert message

 Figure 4-56: Item updated alert message

Figure 4-48 displays a notice indicating that the item has been included to the offer.

Figure 4-57: Item added to offer alert message

Figure 4-49 shows a notification informing us that the item is present in the offer. In
the meantime, if we want to alter the offer, we can do so after placing the order and visiting
the editing offer page, which gives us access to change the item's amount or other details.

Figure 4-58: item already exist inside the offer

Figure 4-50 shows that the quantity of our added item is greater than the stock
quantity, so an alert message will be displayed stating that “There is only 7 available” and as
our example we choose 10 Panels.

Figure 4-59: Chosen quantity more than quantity in the stock alert message

59
4.5 Conclusion

All of the website's content has been covered in this chapter. It explained how each area

is used as well as how site manager, companies, and customers can navigate the site. From

the beginning, the site manager is in command. He has the power to approve or disapprove

sellers, seller categories, items, and offers. He can also view offers that have been accepted as

well as uploaded items and offers. Regarding the companies, they can access their

dashboards, add new categories, items, and offers, and periodically update them. They can

post and remove items and offers as well. Additionally, they can interact with the SOLAR

SYSTEM ONLINE STORE as if they were customers, but they are unable to leave reviews

or rate the products and deals. Customers can access all companies, categories, items, offers,

and services section. Additionally, when accessing a specific item or offer, users will be able

to rate and leave reviews for it.

To sum up, as was already stated, we are committed and motivated to develop a

successful website that offers a wide variety of services that satisfy our consumers and

streamline their procedure. The features and services consumers most frequently demand

were added.

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 CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK

5.1 Conclusion

The project aims to address the lack of awareness, high costs, and complexity associated with

solar energy by creating a web-based platform serving as a review platform and marketplace

for solar energy products. It will connect buyers with sellers, provide comprehensive product

information, and facilitate informed decision-making and transactions. The conclusion

highlights the challenges and opportunities of promoting solar power products, emphasizes

ethical considerations and environmental sustainability, discusses the financial viability

through revenue models, and emphasizes the importance of adhering to relevant standards.

The website provides a centralized solution, allowing customers to easily access and compare

information through our website. The services area helps customers locate top-notch solar

performance and essential supplies, while companies can gain insights to enhance their

offerings and ensure customer satisfaction. Overall, the website strives to provide a seamless

experience for both customers and companies, offering convenience, reliable information,

and a platform for continuous improvement in the solar energy industry, Moreover we

conclude that the customer becomes know how to benefit from the solar if he needs 5A or

more also the prices for each kind of categories if he wants to buy the same product

5.2 Future Work

This online platform will expand further and acquire more distinctive features. To make

it simpler for clients to place online orders for their needs, we will first build an order and

delivery system. It will also receive more filtering features (category, item and offer

searches). Finally, it will acquire intelligent Al in the services section, which are programmed

61
to help customers and ease their working. For companies, an upgrade to premium will be

made so they can have more services.

62
 APPENDIX A:
IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS

A CD will be provided with the project that contains the code of the website within its

four parts: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, PHP, and JavaScript alongside with the report and the

PowerPoint.

63
 APPENDIXB:
USER MANUAL
The main users of this system are the customers, the Manager and the Companies.

Considering the Customer:

Step 1: The customer enters their email and password in the buyer interface on the
homepage.
Step 2: The customer is then presented with an overview of the website, including categories,
company names, and solar energy products.
Step 3: If the customer decides to make a purchase, they can add a review and comments for
the item they purchased.
Step 4: the customers can access to services if he wants to build solar system and he don’t
know how many amps to use.

Considering the Manager:

Step 1: The manager can access as buyer interface on the homepage and log in.
Step 2: After logging in, the application will direct the manager to the homepage, where they
will have access to a dashboard, seller companies, offers, items , history , comments
Step 3: Within the dashboard, the manager can review new company registration requests
and view the status of previously registered companies' product requests, including whether
they have been accepted or not.

Considering the Seller companies:

Step 1: Company sellers can access the seller interface on the homepage by entering their
login email and password.
Step 2: After logging in, the application will direct them to the homepage, but company
sellers will also have access to a dashboard.
Step 3: Within the dashboard, company sellers can request to add new categories for solar
energy products and create offers for their items.

64
 APPENDIXC:
DEPLOYMENT AND CONFIGURATION MANUAL

This part shows the steps to deploy a website and a powered-on

device Windows operating system.

Deploying the website will require the following:

● To download the XAMPP Server, press on this link:

https://www.apachefriends.org/download.html

● Run XAMPP control panel.

● Got to http://localhost/phpmyadmin/ , and import the SQL file in the CD.

● Go to

http://localhost/phpmyadmin/index.php?route=/database/structure&

server=1&db=solar_system to see all the database tables.

● Go to http://localhost/solar_system/index.php to can check on my system

For writing, editing the script of the website we used VS Code, it is a free text editor that
could be downloaded from https://code.visualstudio.com/download

65
 REFERENCES
[1 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/brief-history-solar-panels-180972006/

[2 https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work.

[3 Solar Panel Safety: Are Solar Panels Safe? | EnergySage

[4 https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2021/what-it-takes-to-realize-a-circular-economy-

] for-solar-photovoltaic-system-materials.html

[5 Solar Panels | Tesla

[6 Solar Panel Kits | Shop DIY Solar Kits & Complete Solar Systems (gogreensolar.com)

[7 Home Solar plus Storage Solutions | SunPower

[8 Visual Studio Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/

[9 XAMPP server: https://www.apachefriends.org/

[1 Bootstrap 5 for design: https://getbootstrap.com/ .

0]

[1 W3schools: https://www.w3schools.com/

1]

[1 https://www.php.net/manual/en/faq.php

2]
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