SolarGaps: Power Generating Window Shades

Solar power has been steadily making progress towards better efficiency, but one huge hurdle remains: difficulty of installation. This is, of course, exacerbated if you don’t have access to a roof, such as when living in an apartment.

If you’d rather not bother with complex installation, SolarGaps — now on Kickstarter — presents another solution with solar panels built right into window blinds. These blinds move to track the sun, and simply plug right into a normal wall outlet. SolarGaps can even open automatically when someone enters a room to keep your house bright inside.

Once installed, these blinds generate up to 100W of energy per 10 square feet of window space, enough power for 30 LED light bulbs or three MacBooks! In fact, its creators say SolarGaps can lower your energy bill by up to 70%.

What’s more, SolarGaps can be app-controlled and set on an automated schedule to suit your needs or daily routine. It can also integrate with other smart gadgets, including Google Home, Amazon Echo, and the Nest thermostat.