There are so many skylight options to choose from it can become overwhelming to get the facts about all of them. As experts in the skylight market, we’re here to give you clarity and answer your questions! In this blog, we are going to discuss solar skylights.
What is a solar skylight and how does it work?
In this instance, we are referring to a skylight installation that uses solar power to function (not solar-powered led lights). Solar skylights feature a solar panel that captures sun rays during the day and uses them to power the skylight. The power is used to perform functions such as opening and closing the skylight or operating automatic sensors.
The solar panel located on the external skylight captures the sun rays to charge the highly efficient, concealed battery which powers the skylight’s operator and control system. The system will work throughout the day and use the stored charge to operate the system through the night.
Do solar skylights work on overcast days?
The simple answer, yes. Solar skylights do continue to work on cloudy or overcast days as there is still light available for the panels to capture, however, the system may generate a smaller amount of charge than it would on a sunny day. The amount of charge required to operate the skylight should still be possible to acquire on an overcast day.
Are solar-powered skylights any good?
How good a solar-powered skylight is, depends on what you need it for. Solar skylights are ideal installations if you are looking for an abundance of daylight and controllable ventilation, so if this is what you’re after then solar-powered skylights would be a great solution for you!
Some other perks of solar skylights include the use of solar-powered battery which negates power surges and blackouts that may affect skylight installations powered by electricity. The energy efficiency of solar power also means that you could save a few extra dollars on your power bills.
For solar skylight installations with a Rain Sensor – such as the Velux VSS and VCS – the solar-powered control system will automatically close the skylight when rain is detected. Protecting your home and skylight installation from potential rain damage.
Belle Skylights have a number of solar-powered skylights available for installation, including the Solar Powered Daylight Control System and the Velux models mentioned above. Velux solar-powered skylights are easy to install and don’t require any electrical wiring. They are available in a range of sizes for both pitched and flat roofs. They are also available with a range of optionable extras to enhance your skylight experience, such as:
- Automatic sensor-based ventilation – Smart sensors monitor your indoor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels and operate your skylights accordingly
- Solar-powered skylight blinds – Solar-powered blockout and honeycomb blinds for added light control
- A mobile app to operate your skylights and blinds
Are you ready for a solar skylight installation? Get in touch! Belle Skylights have many standard and custom skylight options to choose from to suit your residential or commercial requirements. For more information regarding solar skylights or to discuss your daylighting needs, call the team at Belle Skylights on 1300 168 374.
