Sun-X Blinds
Blinds are a common solution to dealing
with glare from the sun, but what is
increasingly becoming popular is the
desire to maintain a view of the outside
world, and avoid a room feeling ‘closed
off’. Perforated ‘sunscreen’ blinds are
manufactured and fitted by Sun-X in a
wide range of commercial and high-end
residential properties. The fashion for
large glass curtain walling resulted in
Sun-X fitting several Sainsbury’s stores
with motorised sunscreen roller blinds,
up to seven metres in height, to diffuse
glare in their checkout and café areas.
Although these were mains-powered,
there are now available motors with
a high-capacity rechargeable lithium
battery, which can be connected to a
small internal solar panel to provide a
constant trickle-charge.
The discrete solar panel connects to a
rechargeable, wireless, low-voltage DC
motor within the roller blind tubing. No
other external componentry is required.
It stores, boosts, and efficiently releases
power to the motor when required, even
in low light.
Without the solar panel, on one single
charge, the blind can open and close
once a day, for six months, or can be
charged from a mains socket like a
mobile phone if required. Even large
windows can benefit from this system,
up to 3.5m x 3.5m. The motor also runs
very quietly, at less than 40dB.
The user is able to control the blinds
with the use of a remote handset,
wireless wall switch, home automation
system, and now even voice control.
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This environmentally friendly solution
will enhance the solar shading
sustainability of any building; mains-
powered motorised blinds use up
electricity even in standby mode. This
system offers incredible savings on the
installation by eliminating the need for
hard-wiring, and the resultant impact to
operation, lost revenue, and damage to
building fabric caused by the in-wiring
process.