Design Buy Build Issue 36 2019 | Page 52

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. 52 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.