SolarGaps

Considered to be “the world’s first renewable energy producing window blinds,” SolarGaps are the perfect solution for those who can’t install rooftop solar panels. Capable of generating up to 100W – 150W of renewable energy per 10 sq. ft. window, these Photovoltaic solar blinds can reduce your electric bill by up to 70% – essentially paying for themself within a year’s time. If you’re a renter, have an office space, or simply want to supplement solar energy into your home, SolarGaps blinds are a great purchase.

Designed to track the sun, SolarGaps smart blinds automatically adjust their position to optimal energy harnessing angles. With the ability to generate enough power to run 30 LED light bulbs, SolarGaps blinds are the perfect combination of IoT smart home device and intuitive renewable energy source. This is a no-brainer purchase for anyone interested in jumping on the road to energy independence without forking over the dough for solar panels.

CEO and Founder Yevgen Erik explains the inspiration behind his SolarGaps blinds:

“I spent one day in the fields outside of the city studying how the sunflower followed the sun… then, I carried out research which proved that although solar modules are the cheapest among all the other sources of energy, they are the most effective ones.”

According to the company’s Kickstarter campaign, a three-room apartment with windows facing south can produce up to 600 watt-hour or about 4 kilowatts per day. With those numbers, there are many things you can do with this energy surplus. Whether you want to store energy using an energy inverter or sell it to your local utility company, the choice is entirely up to you. By storing the energy yourself, you can consume energy during peak hours where meter rates are high – taking advantage of cost savings. On the other hand, selling the energy to the utility company as green energy is as seamless as requesting a two-way meter – you get instant rebates off your energy bill.

SolarGaps look like a modern set of stylish blinds but are actually covered in photovoltaic modules. Secondly, SolarGaps are compatible with most IoT smart home devices and digital assistants. Whether it’s Google Home, Amazon Echo, Nest Thermostat, or Philips Hue Light Bulbs, if your plan is to create the ultimate smart home, SolarGaps blinds fit right in. Finally, these blinds are super-easy to install. Just mount SolarGaps on the wall over your windows with the brackets provided. For the best bang for your buck, SolarGaps suggests installing them outside for efficiency.

What would smart blinds be without a companion app? From opening and closing your blinds remotely to checking on the most recent energy storing metrics, the highly intuitive SolarGaps app keeps you in control of your blinds at all times. You can even program your smart blinds to open when you wake up and close when it’s bedtime. With an integrated weather app, you can foresee weather patterns and close your blinds while you’re out at dinner with the family.