Shedding Light On Solar Windows

The majority of VELUX windows are now available with solar control, but just how does solar work and what are the benefits compared to manual or electric?

By Larry Bohan on 06 June 2018

Solar panels have become an increasingly common sight on roofs in recent years as businesses and homeowners began to take a 'greener’ approach to energy an solar panels are not the only roof component to have embranced this change.

Roof windows are also able to be run solely on solar power after the industry's premier manufacturer, VELUX, moved into the market a few years back.

The benefits of solar windows are many. Switching your electric windows to solar-charged windows is a way to both lower your carbon footprint and save yourself money, while opting for solar over manual lets you enjoy all the same convenient benefits of electric.

In this blog we will examine what exactly solar power is, how it works in relation to windows and what benefits solar windows have.

What is Solar Power?

In its simplest form, solar power means the power of the sun. It is essentially sunlight converted to electricity.

For a slightly more detailed explanation, solar power is captured when sunlight hits the PV cells in a solar panel and the electrons are knocked loose and moved around.

These loose electrons can be captured and moved in the same direction around a circuit. An electric current is then formed by this flow of electrons in the same direction.

How do Solar Windows Operate?

Solar windows from VELUX utilise the energy from the sun through a photovoltaic (PV) solar cell on the external window frame. The light from the sun charges a high-performance battery that provides power to open and close the window.

The power is stored in the battery to be used when and how the user likes. Operating the window is done through the use of a remote control, meaning solar windows can be placed as high up on the roof as desired.

Solar windows do not have to be plugged into a power supply and no rerouting of electric wires is required, making installation a quick and easy job. Solar windows get all the power they need from the sun.

'What about on cloudy days,’ you might be thinking (especially if you’re from the UK where sunny days are not exactly forthcoming). While it is true that cloudy days will not see as much electricity generated, sufficient sunlight should still be absorbed to run solar windows efficiently throughout the day and beyond.

Solar windows can stand up to the most severe storms as the solar cells on VELUX windows are completely waterproof. On the subject of water, solar windows from VELUX will close automatically at the first sign of rain to ensure your home never gets wet.

What are the Benefits of Solar Windows?

Better for the environment than electric- No direct greenhouse gasses or toxic waste emissions as no fossil fuels are burned, instead the electricity needed is generated in the most natural of ways- directly by the sun. Fossil fuels are widely considered one of the greatest threats to the environment today with their burning contributing heavily to global warming.

Renewable energy- As a power source, solar energy will never die out as long as the sun rises in the sky. The supply of fossil fuels on the other hand is limited and will eventually run out.

No running costs- Solar windows run on the power of the sun, no maintenance is needed and no spares are required as the battery should recharge whenever there is daylight and should keep stored for days.

Added appeal- Solar windows can give your property extra appeal. If you are renting out your home or running a business, solar windows are an attractive draw for people and will add to a building’s value.

Quick installation- As mentioned earlier, no wiring is needed with solar windows. Electric windows on the other hand require the window to be connected to an electric circuit.

Luxury of operation- Just as with electric windows, VELUX solar windows are operated via remote control, meaning you can open and close them at your leisure without even having to get off your sofa or bed. Windows can be opened from anywhere in the home.

Save money on bills- A well-known advantage for all VELUX products, VELUX roof windows let in more natural daylight as competitor windows, and solar models are no exception. An abundance of natural daylight will reduce the need to switch on artificial light sources during the daytime, while the U-values attached to VELUX solar models will lower the chances of you needing to crank up the heating every second.

Solar Windows at Sterlingbuild

VELUX solar power windows are part of the brand’s highly innovative INTEGRA range, a popular choice for extensions and home improvement projects the world over.

Coming with a 10-year guarantee for added peace of mind, VELUX solar power roof windows are available in a trio if frame types and glazing thickness options, as well as a choice of laminated or rain noise reduction glass.

All VELUX solar windows are compatible with VELUX ACTIVE, a smart home system which monitors indoor climate and allows the windows to be controlled on mobile by touch or voice control.

Sterlingbuild is the UK's largest independent retailer of VELUX windows and the cheapest too thanks to our longstanding Price Match Promise.