Industrial Automation IoT Solar Solutions

PowerFilm’s Electronic Component Panels can power the low power sensors and devices used in modern home and building automation systems.

Extensive networks of low-power sensors collect and send data to a central location, efficiently controlling heating/cooling systems, lighting and security systems, and data analytics tools. Large buildings may have thousands of sensors and controllers measuring temperature, occupancy, pressure, humidity, light level, air quality, etc.

Servicing and maintaining the batteries that run these devices quickly becomes a costly burden. Indoor and Outdoor solar solutions can extend or replace batteries, boosting efficiency and lowering costs. Our Indoor, Classic, and WeatherPro series panels and development kits are a great start.

Solar Compatible Applications

Thermostats
Smart Windows and Shades
Switches
Air Quality
Occupancy Sensors
Sinks and Faucets

Case Studies

Blog Posts

Internet of Things enables businesses to cut costs, operate more efficiently, and expand their capabilities. The backbone of commercial IoT solutions is data. “The cloud,” data analytics, and machine learning crunch enormous amounts of data and spit out answers that humans may not be able to develop.

But where does all this data come from?

In an automated building, extensive networks of sensors collect and send data to a central location, which can then efficiently control heating/cooling systems, lighting, and security systems, and take advantage of data analytics tools. Large buildings may have thousands of sensors measuring temperature, occupancy, pressure, humidity, light level, air quality, etc.

Conventionally these devices are powered with small coin cell batteries and have lifetimes ranging from months to years. Designing battery-powered wireless sensors that last longer than a couple of years can be challenging and expensive.

Replacing dead batteries can be very costly in automated buildings with thousands of sensors and controllers. Battery lifetime can’t always be predicted, which lowers the reliability and effectiveness of the system as a whole.

Energy harvesting, specifically solar/light harvesting, can completely replace batteries in many applications. In Indoor settings, PowerFilm low light solar panels experience little to no degradation and can last 20+ years. Almost no maintenance means more cost savings and a better return on investment for businesses that take advantage of building automation.

Need something different? Contact us, and we can customize a solar panel to fit your exact specifications.