Safety and longevity of blinds improved

Brel Home continues to innovate with their latest generation of solar motors. Co-founder Erik Budding talks about the advanced features of these motors, which improve both the safety and longevity of solar shading systems, as well as the general importance of solar shading. "This will only increase in the coming years, with solar technology playing a key role in making buildings more sustainable."

The latest 13 Nm and 20 Nm solar motors from Brel Home come standard with obstacle detection and frost protection. These are features that are critical for protecting shutters and blinds, especially in countries such as the Netherlands. "Obstacle detection prevents damage to roller shutters or screens if they accidentally collide with an obstacle, such as an open window," Budding says. "The motor stops automatically when it detects a deviation in the revolutions of the motor shaft." Frost protection is another essential addition, especially in cold climates. "When the bottom rail of a roller shutter is frozen solid, pulling hard on the product can lead to damage. Our frost protection prevents this by stopping the motor as soon as a sharp increase in absorbed current is detected." In addition to improved safety and durability, the 13 Nm motor now offers the ability to adjust speed and activate the slow start/slow stop function. "These modifications have been well received by the market, especially as they further optimize system life and performance."

Longer life through fabric stretch correction

Another innovative feature of the new solar motors is fabric stretch correction. This mechanism is especially useful for articulated awnings, where the fabric automatically adjusts itself to the correct position without the need for manual adjustments. "The fabric stretch correction prevents the fabric from remaining under constant tension, which can prevent long-term damage. This not only extends the life of the blinds, but also keeps the system working more efficiently." Brel Home continues to work on the future of solar shading and solar technology. The recently introduced 50 Nm battery motor, designed specifically for cassette awnings, is one example. This motor is also equipped with fabric stretch correction, allowing even wider application of the technology. 

In addition to the motors, Brel Home offers several solar panel options, including panels with or without frames, in white versions and narrow glass versions. "The choice of a particular type of solar panel depends on taste and the preference of consumers, product managers and architects," says Budding. "The advantage of a border is that it is neatly finished, but also that it is easier to feed the wire inside. Without a border, the panel is flatter. A glass surface instead of plastic offers not only longer life, but also better energy yield because of its transparency."

Sustainability and energy efficiency

According to Budding, shading plays a crucial role in creating energy-efficient buildings. "By using solar shading intelligently, we can significantly reduce energy consumption for cooling and heating buildings. Solar blinds are especially advantageous in this regard, as they consume no energy and require no wiring." This aligns with Brel Home's broader sustainability goals, which focus on reducing energy consumption and simplifying installations. With ongoing developments in solar motors and the introduction of innovative products such as Brel Matter motors for indoor blinds, the entire range of which will be available from November, Brel Home continues to be a major player in the blinds industry. Budding: "With Brel Matter, linking and controlling motorized window decoration and Smart Home solutions becomes even easier."