We want to replace the horrible concertina shutters on our new house and I’m considering solar-powered electric shutters. Does anyone have them? Are they generally reliable? Any disadvantages? What if there’s a week of consistendly dark, rainy days in winter, or is there enough light to charge them? Many thanks for your advice!
All I can say is that make sure you can open them manually in case of fire and there is not sufficient electricity to operate them. Like anything electrical, there will be a lifespan and you need to work out the cost as against ordinary fitted shutters. As for enough light/sun, depends on where you live and where you place the panels to get the best sunlight and whether the costs addup.
Thanks Shiba. The shutters are on the south and west-facing sides of the house, so plenty of good daylight, and sunshine when it’s there. We’re 2h south of Bordeaux so generally good weather.
We have two on hard to reach windows and love them. Hellish’ly expensive! One hardly gets any direct sun and works just fine, they don’t need much.
I have a couple of sets operating very, very heavy battant shutters. They have been going well for seven or so years without attention. No probs with any break in the leccy supply, they do not use any, they are powered by batteries.