SolarTrac®
Scalable Automated Shading Systems. Period.
SolarTrac is Mecho’s state-of-the-art, scalable solution for window shade automation. No other automated shade system can match SolarTrac’s modularity, versatility, and flexibility. Our comprehensive shade-system is designed to optimize the natural daylight and increase energy efficiency in your project. All while ensuring occupant comfort with the flexibility and performance to meet their evolving needs.
No matter what size your project is, SolarTrac can be custom configured to fit its unique goals. From a large-scale, fully automated building utilizing real-time data sourced from internet weather down to a basic scheduler for a single office, our custom designed, modular, automated system fits your project's requirements every time. If you can dream it, we can build it.
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Scalable, Versatile Automated Shading
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The three levels of SolarTrac shade automation can meet the needs of any size of project and they have the flexibility to be configured to end user and project needs. So regardless of project size and needs, Mecho has the versatility to provide automated solutions for a single room, individual floor, a building, or even an entire campus.
SolarTrac Building | Floor | Room
Automated Shading for 50 – 1,000+ Commercial Shade Zones
SolarTrac's sophistication and flexibility lets you manage anywhere from 50 to more than 1,000 shade zones in any commercial shade project, from multi-story buildings to an entire campus or enterprise.
SolarTrac uses proprietary algorithms to plot the sun's solar impact at any given moment. This information is combined with data from rooftop radiometers that monitor real-time sky conditions and the entire light spectrum (not just visible light) to calculate BTU loads on every window across the entire project. The power of our automated shade system can be custom tailored to a project’s goals no matter if it requires advanced solar-tracking and sky-monitoring technology or the easy functionality of a basic timer or scheduler.
Note: A zone is a group of shades and other devices that are all controlled together.
Unbeatable Performance
The SolarTrac automated shade system incorporates our predictive, precise, and prompt algorithms to know exactly where the sun will be at any given time on any given day.
Learn how SolarTrac can optimize your sustainability efforts below.
Predictive & Reactive
SolarTrac’s patented algorithms put shades in place for solar control before the sun’s energy gets there. Our system uses the building’s GPS location, facade orientation, window dimensions, exterior shading features and surrounding environment to manage the impact of direct and reflected daylight and shadowing to predictively position shading in the optimal location for building and occupant performance.
Precise
A Mecho automated system is configured to respond to the lighting needs specific to your project. No matter if it is a single floor, facade, building or entire campus, the scalable system can be fine-tuned to meet individual occupant needs.
Prompt
Incorporated rooftop radiometers provide immediate, real-time evaluation of the solar spectrum that’s hitting your building including UV, IR and visible light. For maximum efficiency, shade adjustments are made within seconds after careful evaluation of changes in daylight due to weather, reflected light, or shadows. Response times can be customized to user preferences. No roof top access? No problem! SolarTrac can also leverage internet weather to determine local sky conditions.
Tell Us about Your Building-Sized Automation Needs
Smart Shade System Integration
SolarTrac is a native BACNet certified system compatible with all major building automation systems, including smart building technology with Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Compatibility and User-Friendly Controls
Supporting smart phone access, the simple-to-use interface displays an interactive floor plan for visibility of all commercial shade zones and motors. This allows the ability to check status, configure custom settings and override shade positions when needed. Automatic self-diagnostics alert potential maintenance needs.
Ideal Applications
- Office complex
- Higher-Education or college campus
- Healthcare facilities
- Corporate facilities
- Commercial real estate development
- Multi-story buildings
SolarTrac | Building Components
- Shade Automation Controller
- SolarTrac Matrix Controller
- Native BACnet interface
- Radiometer
- Internet Weather
- Occupancy Sensor
- Wireless Daylight Sensor
- Mecho Network Interface (MNI)
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) Hub
Same Performance, Mid-Sized Applications (10–50+ Zones)
SolarTrac can easily and seamlessly scale down to fit applications like smaller buildings or single floors, anywhere from 10–50+ zones. This application can be custom tailored to a project’s goals no matter if they require advanced solar-tracking and sky-monitoring technology or the easy functionality of a basic timer/scheduler. SolarTrac is scientifically designed to maximize natural daylight and increase energy efficiency while providing occupants with a comfortable environment and views to the outside.
Note: A zone is a group of shades and other devices that are all controlled together.
Innovative, Research-Driven Performance and Control
SolarTrac's browser interface allows shade management by multiple users onsite or remotely, via computer or mobile device. The user-friendly interface features an interactive floor plan for visibility of all commercial shade zones and motors, overriding shade positions when needed. Automatic alerts notify of any status changes within the system, elimination manual checks. Solar-Trac automated shades can also be controlled using any manufacturer’s keypad, touchscreen, wall switch, or remote, to create a unified user experience.
Tell Us about Your Floor-Sized Automation Needs
Seamless Floor-Level Integration
Mecho’s shade automation integrates into other building systems. Maximizing building and occupant performance by utilizing an open API.
Check out our Integration Partners
BACnet Certified interface that meets ASHRAE Standard 135, supports two-way integration over IP to third-party lighting, HVAC, A/V and other control systems. A two-way protocol improves real-time performance of SolarTrac, enhancing long term reliability and ensuring that commands are received, acted upon and confirmed back to the control.
Ideal Applications
- Large lobbies
- Single floor of a multi-floor building
- Small buildings
- Multiple offices
- Entire floors with multiple rooms
SolarTrac | Floor Components
- SolarTrac Matrix Controller
- Radiometer
- Occupancy Sensor
- Internet Weather
- Wireless Daylight Sensor
- Mecho Network Interface (MNI)
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) Hub
Easy, Flexible Installation for 1-10+ Zone Application
With the controller either connecting directly to or embedded within our advanced shade motors and sensors and switches being wireless, you can easily install and change your automation system as your room layout or needs change. Perfect for retrofitting existing projects.
Note: A zone is a group of shades and other devices that are all controlled together.
Transform your Motorized Shades into a Touchless Automated Shading System!
The versatility of SolarTrac can be engineered for smaller rooms or to retrofit existing commercial motorized shades. Solar-powered occupancy and daylight sensors monitor inside room occupancy and outside conditions to automate commercial shades for an ideal entry point into the world of automation. A basic scheduler can also be programed for easy daylight management.
SolarTrac enables common spaces like lobby areas to have touchless automated window shade positioning for optimal daylight harvesting controls, minimizing heat gain, and maximizing energy savings. This commercial shade system can also be programmed to monitor room occupancy, maintaining privacy, and supporting users’ shade control preferences. SolarTrac is the performance-proven solution when looking for a reliable, easy-to-install automated shade system for 1-10+ zones.
Tell Us about Your Room-Sized Automation Needs
Seamless Room-Level Integration
Mecho’s shade automation integrates into other building systems. Maximizing building and occupant performance by utilizing an open API.
Check out our Integration Partners
With RS-232/RS-485 and Dry Contact integration, the Mecho Network Interface (MNI) supports two-way wireless communication to any device on MechoNet. This improves real-time performance of SolarTrac, enhancing long term reliability and ensuring that commands are received, acted upon and confirmed back to the control.
Ideal Applications
- Lobbies
- Single rooms or offices
- Common areas
- Retrofit Scenarios
SolarTrac | Room Components
- SolarTrac Matrix Controller
- Occupancy Sensor
- Wireless Daylight Sensor
- Mecho Network Interface (MNI)
Additonal SolarTrac Information
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Smart Shades for Smart Commercial Buildings with PoE
Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology combines Ethernet data/communications and power over a single CAT5/CAT6 network cable. It provides a low voltage infrastructure that facilitates building system sensors and equipment for a ubiquitous wiring approach throughout the building.
PoE is fully optimized with automated shades. Solar heat gain and daylight can be managed by the shades to deliver enhanced human performance and operating cost savings. In addition, the data provided by the shade network can help other building systems enhance their operation, allowing smart buildings to truly deliver optimized performance tailored to the specific building space and its users.
Learn about the benefits of PoE with automated shades at Cisco in New York.
Optimized Sustainability & Performance
By minimizing solar gain in summer and optimizing natural light in winter, SolarTrac delivers sustainable automated shades while benefiting the wellness of building occupants. This smart shade solution has been designed to maximize natural daylight while preserving outdoor views while improving building energy management to provide an innovative commercial shade solution for optimized building and occupant performance.
Architects and designers consistently turn to Mecho to achieve performance, quality, and comfort while helping building designs meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED and WELL Rating Systems to enhance building sustainability.
Functionality Timelapse
Watch SolarTrac in action in this timelapse video at Mecho HQ
Touchless Benefits
Automated shade systems reduce touchpoints that are associated with manual and standard motorized shading. Scalable automated solutions ensure that you can prioritize touchless technologies in high-traffic and shared spaces. This is a critical strategy to ensure people feel safe in buildings shared by other occupants.
Additional SolarTrac Benefits
- The only system capable of reacting to real time thermal load (BTU) coming through the window.
- The only system that will work optimally with skylights.
- Allows for scheduled events, such as light pollution mitigation.
- Specialty Operation - Works with specialty applications like electrochromic glass and motorized horizontal blinds.
- Can be programmed for specific timed events that align with business hours.
- #1 most specified shade automation system, from the company that invented shade automation.
- Broadest application range
- Largest number of integration partners and brands
When you want the best, work with the best. The best work with Mecho.
SolarTrac Components
Back to TopSee below for a brief description of the various components that make up the most flexible and scalable automated shade system on the market.
- SolarTrac Radiometer
Rooftop radiometers allow for real-time reading of dynamic sky conditions, proactively predicting sky conditions and adjusting shades within seconds. It measures visible light, IR light, and UV light.
- SolarTrac Matrix Controller
Designed for small-scale and retrofitted projects for cost-effective solar control. An astronomical event scheduler for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, or additional timed settings.
- SolarTrac Graphical User Interface (GUI)
SolarTrac’s browser-based interface allows navigation between floors, zones, and smart shade motors. Display an interactive floor plan for visibility of all commercial shade zones and motors, checking status or overriding positions when needed.
- Occupancy Sensor
This solar-powered, sensor automatically detects when the room is occupied, positioning the shades accordingly. EnOcean® technology pairs with the MechoNet Wireless Controller for seamless, intelligent shading automation. The sensor has the ability to integrate HVAC and lighting control.
- Wireless Daylight Sensor (WDS)
These solar-powered, peel-and‐stick daylight sensors mount inconspicuously to the window mullion to monitor outside conditions. The sensors connect wirelessly to MechoNet+ for network connectivity.
- MechoNet Wireless Controller (MWC)
A wireless automation controller for window coverings that connects a variety of wireless EnOcean®-based sensors and switches to motorized shades and other devices attached to MechoNet+.
- MechoNet Network Interface (MNI)
The MNI is a compact communication and control hub that connects a wide range of Mecho motorized shades, and controllers into one seamless and scalable, whole-building shading solution.
- Shade Automation Controller (SAC)
The SolarTrac Shade Automation Controller is a full featured automated window management controller capable of autonomous control of up to 50 shade zones specifically for PoE applications.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) MechoNet Hub
The MechoNet UPoE+ Motor Hub is an IOT interface used to bring MechoNet-equipped shade motors and controls to PoE.
- Native BACnet
SolarTrac Incorporates an open BACNet certified system that works with all major building management systems for peak building efficiency and control. Certified to meet ASHRAE Standard 135.
- Internet Weather
Satellite-based weather that is gathered from a local source.
Daylighting Done Right:
Why Automation is Right for Your Space
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Humans are creatures of habit when it comes to the built environment. Window shades tend to be brought down but rarely, if ever, brought back up. With demand for spaces that promote health, wellness, and optimal performance, well-designed daylighting strategies are more crucial than ever. Automated shading maximizes natural daylight potential, provides access to views, creates a clean façade, and promotes happier and healthier occupants.
Occupant Health & Wellness: Benifits to the Occupants
Happier Employees and Lowered Stress
Access to sunlight regulates natural serotonin and melatonin, reducing stress and improving sleep quality. Workplaces with more daylight have positive effects on working relationships, leading to greater retention and lower turnover.
Improved Patient Recovery
Patients with greater access to daylight and views have faster recovery rates and require lower amounts of pain medication.
Comfort
An ideal balance of daylighting protects occupants from unwanted heat and glare throughout the day.
Increased Productivity and Alertness
Exposure to natural light increases concentration and decreases mistakes. In a healthcare setting automation removes the distraction of walking over to a nurse’s station to raise or lower shades. In educational settings, daylight and views improve student test scores, learning rates, and reduce absenteeism.
Efficiency & Performance: Benifits to the Facility
Electricity Savings
Lower artificial light use = electricity savings. Automated shades result in electricity savings up to 37% when compared to manual shades.
Optimized Healthcare
Automated shading in healthcare enables optimal daylight for patients and reduces nurse responsibility to adjust shades.
Improved Aesthetics
Shade bands remain aligned to create a unified aesthetic from the exterior vantage.
Improved HVAC Performance
Proper shade and insulation control = improved HVAC performance. In most buildings, incorporating daylighting strategies create energy savings from 15-40%.
Maximize Available Daylight
Programmed automated shades can allow just the right amount of light to capitalize on the benefits of daylight while addressing glare, building insulation, and privacy.
Touchless Technology
Scalable automated solutions reduce touch points and ensure that you can prioritize touchless technologies in high-traffic and shared spaces. This is a critical strategy to ensure people feel safe as they occupy buildings shared by other people.
Ready to implement automated shading into your next project?
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