I’ve got an extra tall living room, and without a 15’ ladder there’s no way I can actuate the pull down shades. I would be annoyed to have to climb up to change batteries a few times a year. What I would ideally want are some kind of window shade or blinds with a remote or HA controllable, and a little solar panel to collect the juicy rays of the sun.
I have found hard wired shades, battery powered shades with remotes, and zigbee etc shades, but not exactly what I’m looking for.
Any suggestions?
I don’t actually HAVE any automation at home beyond some hated Alexas, but these shades would be a great place to start.
Thanks in advance.
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Oh, damn. I misunderstood the question. I thought you meant stationary window blinds that acted as solar panels.
Which, come on. How is that NOT a thing yet???
Actually that’s a great idea too. Not what I’m looking for but it’s clever.
In Germany, yes. I think they are selling them worldwide.
https://www.velux.de/produkte/sonnenschutz-und-rolllaeden
They are pretty reliable, with a builtin oversized battery and small solar panel, remote control, and 5 years warranty iirc.
They offer an integration into smartness - I can look up for you later which one.
I am planning currently to get some, but without their solar, just normal power and my own smart relays to control them.
I use their blinds and windows with a Velux KLF 200 gateway. They work fully localy with homeassistant. Can reccommend.
Thank you, this is helpful.
Fund it man. Seems like you got a product in your hands.
Smartwings sells an optional solar panel to charge their motorized smart blinds:
https://www.smartwingshome.com/products/solar-panel
I recently purchased their Z-Wave roller blinds and I’m quite pleased with them, though I didn’t get the solar charger so I can’t comment on how well that works.
Solar glass yes. Solar blinds I don’t know of anything that would be thin and flexible enough to roll and unroll everyday.
There are some think flexable solar panels, but nothing that I seen that you could use as a replacement blind in a roller blind.
Take a look into solar glass, you can retrofit some of these products right onto existing windows on the inside.
The one advantage to sollar glass is you don’t have to keep your blinds down all the time especially if you want to enjoy a sunny day.
- https://www.solarwindow.com/
- https://onyxsolar.com/
- https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/09/transparent-solar-panel-windows/
Edit: Seems I misunderstood the assignment.
Motorized Solar powered blinds where you don’t have access to power.
Switchbot has something to open and close blinds that runs on solar.
Cool, checking that out. Thank you!
Welcome! I have several and they work well