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Do Solar Powered Skylight Blinds Still Work During Winter?

If you’re looking for an energy-efficient, practical and stylish option for your home, solar-powered skylight blinds may tick all the boxes. They are available in a wide variety of styles and materials, can be made-to-measure and work effectively in busy homes. But as we move further into the colder months, the days begin to get darker. So, do solar-powered skylight blinds still work during Winter? And, are they a worthy investment, even at this time of year? 

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How do solar-powered skylight blinds work? Firstly, let’s take a look at the science behind solar-powered blinds. Similar in look to traditional skylight blinds, solar-powered alternatives come with an internal mechanism. This moves the blinds open and shut using a remote control for guidance. The power source comes, not from your household electrics, but from a solar-powered panel that is built into the design. Known as photovoltaic systems, these panels absorb the sun’s rays and convert them into direct current (DC) energy. This is then used to power the mechanism, allowing you to control light and privacy. 

What are the benefits of solar-powered skylight blinds? 

Whether or not you’re implementing sustainable power solutions in your home, solar-powered skylight blinds still offer a host of benefits. They are highly effective at controlling light and privacy. When made from the right materials, these blinds also minimise the build-up of excessive heat in the summer or heat loss during winter. They can be installed as a protective barrier against UV rays which have the potential to fade or distress soft furnishings. And, then used alongside available natural sunlight, can help to reduce air conditioning and heating fees. Solar-powered skylight blinds also put no additional pressure on your household electrical system. They are independently powered, requiring no wiring or complex installation processes. This means you’ll be able to install them yourself and won’t have to consider extensive building works to get them up-and-ready. 

So, can they work in winter? 

In short, yes. Remember, solar-powered skylight blinds are powered by light, no heat. The most important thing is that the solar panel is able to receive as much light as possible, even as the days get shorter. While measurements may show that the mechanism's output is slightly lower during darker days, it won’t impact your ability to use them. These blinds store their energy throughout the day, ensuring that they’ll stay charged at all times. The other beauty of solar-powered skylight blinds is their ability to be controlled from a distance. During Winter, this means you won’t have to worry about climbing up ladders or struggling to find the blind pole. As long as you’re within 35 meters of the blind and have the remote control, you can effectively control window coverage, light, privacy and heat all in one. Solar-powered roof blinds are some of our more popular designs, for many of the reasons we’ve listed above. They come in a wide selection of colours, patterns, materials and sizes to fit your windows exactly. And, we manufacture in-house options to suit most major manufacturers including VELUX® and Keylite®. If you have any further questions about solar-powered roof blinds or would like to speak to a member of our team, get in touch today.