SolarGaps' Plug-and-Play Blinds Provide Clean Electricity for the Home
Laura McQuarrie — May 12, 2017 — Eco
References: kickstarter & treehugger
SolarGaps is a company that makes smart blinds that offer more than just a way to reduce the amount of light and heat that enters a room. Its smart blinds offer an alternative to installing expensive solar panels on the roof, yet still provide a way to produce a sustainable source of electricity within the home that can either be used directly, or stored.
The motorized blinds include a tracking mechanism that automatically angles the blinds to the best possible position for soaking up the sun's rays. SolarGaps claims that just one square meter of the blinds can produce up to 100 watt-hours per day when mounted outside, or 50 watt-hours when mounted inside—as SolarGaps puts it, this is "enough to power 30 LED light bulbs or three MacBooks."
The motorized blinds include a tracking mechanism that automatically angles the blinds to the best possible position for soaking up the sun's rays. SolarGaps claims that just one square meter of the blinds can produce up to 100 watt-hours per day when mounted outside, or 50 watt-hours when mounted inside—as SolarGaps puts it, this is "enough to power 30 LED light bulbs or three MacBooks."
Trend Themes
1. Smart Solar Blinds - The integration of technology and renewable energy in home furnishings is a trend with opportunities for sustainable living.
2. Alternative Energy Solutions - The trend towards renewable technologies in everyday products like window treatments may offer new innovations for reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
3. Smart Home Technology - The trend towards connected and app-driven home systems is expanded through the integration of smart blinds with on-board solar technology.
Industry Implications
1. Home Furnishings - Incorporating renewable energy technologies in consumer-facing products offers opportunities for companies to differentiate and appeal to green-minded consumers.
2. Smart Home Technology - The trend towards connected home and building systems may find synergies with the growing market for solar-powered smart home technologies and integrated products.
3. Alternative Energy - Solar-powered home goods may offer one solution for consumers who wish to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources while lowering their overall carbon footprint.
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
