$2.$ Requirements analysis

Must be able to do$,$ but not $$how$$ it must be done. Take a close look at the system requirements in terms of:

$$ Inputs

$$ Outputs

$$ Functions

$$ Environmental issues

$$ Packaging issues

$$ Structural issues

$$ Safety issues

$$ Maintenance issues

Try to add as much detail as you can. For example; how many lights per household, for how many hours a day, at how many lumens, and so forth.

In real life the client is often not a technical person, and it is therefore up to you to $$fill in the gaps$$ in the requirements that have been conveyed to you via the Project Overview.

$3.$ Analysis of alternative solutions

Try to come up$,$ as a group, with at least three solutions. These need not involve three totally different energy sources. You could also have, say, three different types of wind systems.

At this stage no detailed design is necessary.

Try to describe the basic concepts as best you can, but do not make a decision yet.

This is one part of the project where brainstorming is VERY important; try to get everyone on a conference call.

Once the alternatives are identified you need to do at least a grid analysis. Some groups augment that with other techniques, such as a $$force field analysis$$ or a SWOT analysis.

For the grid analysis, use at least four $($weighted$)$ selection criteria.

The example below comes from your reading material. You can do it in Excel.