Solar Powered Roller Shades [Ultimate Buyer Guide]
Are you looking to install solar-powered roller shades to create a perfect ambiance for your newly constructed house?
There’s a need to pick the best fit that matches all the needs of your home.
The best solar roller shades will retain your stunning view, as they protect you and your furnishings from the destructive UV rays of the sun and excessive heat. The size of the fabric should seamlessly fit your windows without leaving even the tiniest light gaps.
Ultimately, the color and the making material of the roller shades should match the primary theme of the rest of the room.
If you desire the ease, convenience, cost-effectiveness, and increased energy efficiency that comes with solar-powered roller shades, this guide is for you.
Here, we’ll discuss all the details you need to make the right choice for solar-powered roller shades.
What are Solar-Powered Roller Shades?
Solar-powered roller shades are a type of window treatment that acts like sunscreen to prevent obstructive and destructive light and heat from the sun to seep into your house.
The main plus about solar-powered roller shades is that they perform the light filtering role while offering all the advantages of solar energy.
Solar roller shades should not be confused with solar-powered roller blinds. The latter have slats that can be adjusted for light control instead of the solid piece fabric.
Components of Solar-Powered Roller Shades, and How do they work?
Generally, these are the main components of solar roller shades:
- Bracket- Holds the entire system in place at the top of the window
- Shades- This is the fabric that does the light filtering task
- Roller system- Rotates to lift the shades up or down for light control
- Motor- The motor produces mechanical energy to run the roller system
- Solar panel- Collects sunlight that is later converted to power the motor
- Controller- Controls the action of the entire solar roller shades system
This is how these components work to provide light and heat filtering in your room:
- Since this window treatment is solar-powered, the process begins by harnessing solar energy with a Photovoltaic solar panel.
- The energy is converted into direct power by a panel board which is in most cases integrated into the panel.
- The power produced is used to run a motor directly or charge a battery which is then used to power the motor.
- The motor connects to a roller system that raises or lowers the shades as needed.
- For any action to happen on the system, you have to issue a command through the controller. In most cases, the controller can be a wall switch, handheld remote or app control through a smartphone or tablet.
The app control is highly recommended since it offers a pleasant overall user experience.
Here are the benefits of app control:
- You can adjust lighting at the tap of a button
- You can view all your rooms at the comfort of your smart device
- You’ll get updates when charging occurs
- You can set up favorite actions for quick access
How do Solar-Powered Roller Shades Compare with Conventional Roller Shades?
| Factor | Solar-powered roller shades | Conventional roller shades |
| Wiring needs | Wiring is very minimal, especially when the solar panel is mounted on the window | Intensive wiring to connect the motor and the power source. |
| Labor needs | Not labor-intensive | Relatively labor-intensive due to the wiring works |
| Aesthetics | Mounting a solar panel on your window may seem a little off for the aesthetics of the room | Nothing needs to be mounted on the widow as the motor is run from the grid |
| Cost-effectiveness | Highly cost-effective since the free energy from the sun is used | Not cost-effective since you’ll have to pay for energy bills |
| Convenience | Works best when there’s plenty of sun, which is also the time you need to do more light and heat filtration | Still convenient but may be compromised by power interruptions |
How to Choose the Best Solar-Powered Roller Shades?
To pick the best solar roller shades, you need to consider the factors discussed below.
1. Openness factor
This is a measure of how tightly the fabric is woven and is expressed as a percentage. Most solar-powered have an openness rating ranging from 0-14%. The choice depends on the amount of light you want in your room.
So what does each side of the rating offer?
High openness factor
- Pro- More light and clearer view
- Con- Less privacy
Low openness factor
- Pro- Better privacy
- Con- More light is filtered; hence the view is blurred
2. Size
For size, you can go for the standard options suitable for common size windows or designer fits. For the latter, you must ensure that you take the right measurements of the windows you want to work on.
How to measure the size of the window for solar shades:
- Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom between right and left frames
- Record the measurements and determine the average value
- Measure the height at the right, center and the left of the window between top and bottom frames
- Record the measurements and again determine the average value
- Measure the depth of your window and record it
Provide these three measurements to your seller. A good seller should make all the deductions for you and advise you on the best custom fit.
Pro tip: If you are going for custom-made shades, you can involve the seller right when you take the measurements.
You should consider designer solar powered roller shades when:
- Your windows are oddly large
- Your windows have complex designs
- You have corner windows
3. Color of the fabric
For the fabric color, there’re two main options: Light and dark colors. Let’s do a little comparison of the two.
Dark VS light solar shades
| Dark solar shades | Light solar shades |
| May not brighten up a space as needed | Illuminates a room better |
| Improved privacy | Low privacy, especially at night |
| Better at reducing glare | Insufficient at reducing glare |
| Suitable for large windows | Perfect for small windows |
Evaluate what you’d be comfortable with among the two and go for it. Mixing the two is also an option as long as you’ll maintain the preferred theme in your home.
4. Shade fabric material
A wide variety of shades materials are available for you to choose from. From modern fabrics, tailored wovens to textured textiles, the options are limitless.
Here are 3 example materials that you can choose and their special characteristics
| Material | Special characteristics |
| Polyester | A variety of options for colors, transparency, texture, and weaves |
| Basketweave | Great for aesthetics |
| Jute | Extra texture, stiffness, and durability |
The best solar shades material should be easily customizable, lightweight but durable, and perfectly matching the main theme of your house.
5. The capability of the motor, rolling system and solar panel
It may be hard to tell what combination of these components will work best for you, so you should consider visiting a shop that sells them and have firsthand experience of the components working.
If you’re satisfied with how the system works, check what past customers say about the component, and then make your final purchasing decision.
All in all, the system you choose should effortlessly lift the fabric of your shade effortlessly and promptly when needed.
2 terms you should be aware of when choosing solar-powered roller shades
| Term | Description | Recommendation |
| Solar reflectance | This is the amount of sunlight reflected by the fabric making the shade. | Choose a fabric with a high solar reflectance value as this means that it’ll satisfactorily filter the solar. |
| Solar transmittance | This is the amount of sunlight that passes through a piece of fabric. | Go for the lower values as they indicate better light filtration from the fabric. |
How much do Solar-Powered Roller Shades Cost?
Solar-powered roller shades may cost from as low as $100 to an upward of $1000 depending on the following:
- Size of the fabric material
- The capability of the motor and rollers system
- Quality of the shade’s fabric
- The smart control capabilities of the system
As discussed above, first look for what works for you, then compare prices from different sellers and choose one that’s reasonably priced.
How to install solar-powered roller shades?
Now that you know what to look for when choosing solar-powered roller shades let’s discuss how to install them.
- Fix the roller shades system as advised by the manufacturer. (Remember, the system consists of the bracket, the motor, rollers and the shades.
- Test that the solar panel is receiving optimum sun exposure using a light sensor.
- Mount the solar panel into the window, or wire it to the rooftop in case the window is north-facing.
- Plug in the connecting wire to the shades motor, then to the panel
- Set in place the power cable and the switch
- Let the solar panel charge for around 2 hours (this may vary according to brand)
- Operate the solar roller shades through a remote or a smartphone if the system is smart control enabled.
Point to note: The installation can be interior or exterior, depending on your liking. Exterior solar shades for windows solve the problem of ‘light gaps’ (check tips in the following section) and block heat and UV rays before they hit the window.
However, interior roller shades are a perfect choice for rooms where appearance is important, such as the living, dining, and kitchens.
You can always get creative with the colors and the material of the shade to achieve your preferred look.
Who should install your solar-powered roller shades?
A qualified solar technician should install your solar-powered roller shades. The technician will have the expertise to not only ensure that the system is working as required but also install it in a manner that it’s completely hidden from view.
While some people may take this as a DIY project, you’ll still need a technician since there’re special tools that’ll be needed. A good example is a light sensor to measure sun exposure.
The installation process is not complicated, and it should take around 15 minutes per window if done by a professional.
Installation tips you need to consider:
- For better light control and improved privacy, install blackout roller shades or layer the existing ones with curtains.
- To avoid light gaps between the window casing and the edge of the fabric, do an outside mount. Still, you can do an inside mount, but install light gap blockers on the sides of the shades.
- For a nice finishing on top of your window, install a valance that matches the room's theme.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Solar Roller Shades
Advantages
Reduces energy bills
Solar roller shades are powered by a free resource (the sun), meaning you’ll not have to spend more to power them.
Prevents sunlight from destroying your furnishings
Excessive UV rays or heat from the sun can damage your furniture, floorings, and the artwork in your house, so installing solar-powered roller shades prevents this. You may end up saving a lot since the cost of frequent replacements is eliminated.
Create a perfect ambiance in a house
Solar-powered roller shades block heat into the house during summer and maintain the heat in the house during winter. This creates a perfect living environment in a house and goes a long way in improving the energy efficiency of the house.
Disadvantages
High initial cost
Acquiring the motor, the panel, and the entire roller shades system may be a little more costly than acquiring conventional roller shades. However, this is compensated by the long-term cost-effectiveness of running the entire system.
Frequent battery changes
The battery powering the roller shades motor will need replacement yearly or after every two years. The cost is nothing compared to what you’ll save as energy bills in the long run, but it might be a little inconvenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar-powered roller shades have batteries?
Yes, solar-powered roller shades have batteries that are used to store energy to power the motor.
When should I replace the re-chargeable solar battery?
If you note sluggishness in the operation of the roller shades, then it’s time to replace your battery. This usually happens after a year or two of continuous operation.
Do solar-powered roller shades work during the night?
Solar-powered roller shades work during the night, but they may compromise privacy since they allow visibility into the room from the outside.
For this reason, you should consider:
Installing blackout roller shades, or layer your shades with curtains.
Should I choose dark vs light solar shades?
Go for the option that filters light according to your liking. If you’re looking for privacy, choose dark solar shades. For better illumination, light solar shades will work just fine for you.
Should I mount the solar panel on the window?
When installing the solar panel, there are two options: mount it in the window or on the roof away from the motor. You can decide to go with the latter, but for this, you must run a connecting wire from the roof to the motor.
Wrapping up
Ready to block distracting sunlight but still maintain the perfect view from your house? Solar roller shades are undoubtedly your perfect choice.
Luckily for you, we’ve discussed what you should consider choosing the best units.
So, if you want to enjoy the convenience of solar technology, go for it!
