Stop solar heat before it enters the building
SolMod mounts outside existing windows to block overheating, restore airflow, and generate electricity — no glass replacement required.
Why buildings overheat
Large windows transmit solar heat faster than HVAC can respond. Occupants overheat, blinds block daylight, and cooling costs spike at peak hours. Windows drive up to 40% of building cooling loads — and interior blinds cost $200–$400 per window to replace every 5–10 years.
40%
of cooling load from windows
#1
complaint: thermal discomfort
80%
of buildings are existing stock
Exterior shading stops heat at the source
Blinds and films manage heat after it enters. SolMod intercepts solar radiation outside the glass — then adds airflow and power generation.
Shade
Louvers reject heat before it reaches the glass.
Breathe
Adjustable angles allow natural ventilation.
Generate
PV surfaces produce clean DC electricity.
Key Benefits
Comfort first. Energy generation second.
Reduce solar heat gain
Block heat before it enters — exterior shading can eliminate up to 90% of solar gain at the facade.
Improve occupant comfort
Manage glare and enable ventilation. Comfort complaints drive retrofit decisions more than energy models.
Lower cooling costs
Less HVAC runtime at peak hours means lower energy bills and reduced peak demand charges.
Cut maintenance spend
Eliminate the ongoing cycle of interior blind replacement — a quiet but significant operational cost.
Generate electricity
PV louver surfaces produce power from the same facade that shades. May qualify for the 30% federal solar ITC.
Mounts to existing window openings. No structural changes, no glass replacement, no building electrical tie-in.
Built for buildings that need it most
University Campuses
Aging dorms, climate action plans, green revolving funds, and students who notice when rooms overheat.
Multifamily Housing
Tenant comfort complaints, blind replacement costs, and cooling bills that landlords absorb or tenants escalate.
Government Buildings
Performance mandates, deferred maintenance budgets, and public accountability for energy and comfort standards.
Commercial Offices
Sealed curtain walls, LEED/WELL certification goals, and tenant retention tied to thermal comfort.
Pilot Program
Seeking pilot partners
We work with facilities and sustainability teams to scope, install, and measure a facade-specific retrofit pilot — producing procurement-ready data, not abstract energy models.
Built at UC Davis
SolMod is being developed by David (Dave) MacDonald, M.S. Energy Systems candidate at the UC Davis Energy & Efficiency Institute.