Arka Power Gazebo

Elegant solar powered outdoor living.

The challenge was to create a premium, stand-alone outdoor living structure that seamlessly integrates solar energy generation without sacrificing aesthetics, durability, or ease of installation. Current market options lacked streamlined assembly, scalability, and accessory integration, leaving homeowners and installers wanting more.

Reimagining the backyard centerpiece as a high performance solar energy solution.

A close-up of a modern, black metal solar panel structure with the ARKA logo on the side. The underside features a geometric grid pattern with purple accents, highlighting innovative design by Arka Energy against a white background.

To define the vision for the Power Gazebo, we began with deep analysis of installer feedback, customer expectations, and competitor offerings. Through field observations of existing installations, interviews with installation crews, and homeowner sentiment research, we identified critical opportunities: drastically reducing installation time, minimizing parts and touch points, and creating a more modular, scalable system.

Research Insights & Discovery

KEY OUTPUTS

Defined accessory integration points based on homeowner demand

Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 Map

Created user journey maps for installers and end-users

Prioritized product differentiators: aesthetics, energy output, and durability

How We Used Psycho-Aesthetics™ to Identify Unique Opportunities in the Project.

Using our proprietary Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 framework, we conducted in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation in diverse lab settings. We identified key emotional and usability pain points — such as intimidation with complex interfaces, workspace clutter, and trust in precision. These insights guided both the form and interface strategy, ensuring approachability and confidence in operation.

A collage of presentation slides showing architectural designs, structural diagrams, Arka Energy solar panel layouts, user personas, charts, and photographs of individuals, illustrating a project’s design and user research process.

We developed an architecture that balances elegance and engineering. The heavy duty steel frame conveys permanence and security, while refined proportions and a false ceiling with decorative soffits ensure it feels like a natural extension of the home. Solar PV panels are fully integrated into the roofline for a clean, seamless aesthetic, with waterproofing designed into the structure itself.

Industrial Design

KEY OUTPUTS

Refined pillar and joist geometry for aesthetics and reduced weight

Integrated accessory mounting points for fans, lighting, shades, and TVs

Developed fascia alignment system for precision assembly

Created scalable configurations for various footprints

Close-up view of a modern black rectangular solar panel structure by Arka Energy, featuring the ARKA logo on the side; underside displays a geometric pattern with green, white, and black accents.
A modern pergola with a geometric solar panel roof by Arka Energy, glowing with green lights, stands on a well-kept lawn outside a contemporary white house with large windows.

Our engineering team optimized the structure for rapid, safe assembly and long-term performance. We reduced hardware count, designed for lighter individual components, and incorporated adjustability into the pillar and joist connections. 

Product Engineering & Development

KEY OUTPUTS

Reduced total hardware and touch points for faster installation

Designed plug-and-play lighting and accessory systems

Developed concealed wiring channels and inverter access panels

Ensured compliance with safety and structural standards

A 3D-rendered diagram of a metal table features an Arka Energy solar panel in dark green, attached on top and partly extending over one edge. The table showcases a gray slatted surface with a sleek black frame.
A digital rendering shows part of a building structure with a slanted roof section covered in teal Arka Energy solar panels and adjacent metal framework without panels.

We produced and tested prototypes to validate ease of installation, waterproofing, and accessory integration. By working directly with fabricators, we optimized the manufacturing process to ensure consistent quality while keeping shipping and crating dimensions efficient.

Prototyping & Manufacturing Support

KEY OUTPUTS

Proof of concept assembly completed in under a day with two installers

Waterproof roof system validated under simulated heavy rain

Finalized modular packaging for reduced shipping footprint

Created detailed assembly guides and installer training materials

A small, gray, rectangular frame structure with vertical and horizontal bars sits on a white countertop in a well-lit room.
A small, gray, rectangular model frame with six vertical posts and a grid roof structure sits on a white surface. A separate flat panel with grooves lies next to the model.
A small gray model structure with a rectangular base and several vertical and horizontal beams stands on a white surface. A detached roof panel lies next to the model.
A scale model structure with a rectangular base and four vertical posts supports a partially constructed roof. A separate panel lies flat on the white surface next to the model, and a hand is visible at the right edge of the image.
A gray plastic model of a rectangular table with four legs stands on a white countertop. The tabletop has a grid pattern, and some materials are partially visible in the background.

Impact:

  • Reduced installation time from two days to one

  • Reduced component count for easier logistics and assembly

  • Enhanced accessory ecosystem for expanded homeowner customization

  • Maintained premium aesthetic while integrating full solar energy generation

  • Positioned to capture significant share of the niche high-end solar pergola market

Key Outcomes and Results

Key Accomplishments

Status: Moving toward commercial rollout following Gen 3 validation.

A modern pergola with a slatted roof featuring purple lighting and integrated solar panels by Arka Energy stands on a grassy lawn in front of a contemporary white house at dusk. Trees and landscaped shrubs are visible in the background.

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