Automate Solar Charging Guide: Which Solar Panel Do I Need?

Automate solar charging can reduce how often you need to physically connect a charger to a rechargeable blind. The catch is that Automate has different solar products for different motor systems, and they should not be treated as interchangeable just because both deliver 5V power.

Quick answer: the current Automate Solar Panel for 5V Motors, product code MT03-0302-067002, is for compatible 5V Li-ion systems. The Automate Outdoor Solar Panel, product code MT03-0302-050004, is specifically for the Li-ion FT outdoor motor and its weather-resistant charging system.

Automate Solar Panel for 5V Motors

The current indoor panel is product code MT03-0302-067002. Treat it as the current 5V solar panel for compatible Li-ion motor systems rather than relying on older Solar Panel 2.0 information that may still appear online.

Shop the Automate Solar Panel for 5V Motors

Automate Outdoor Solar Panel for Li-ion FT

The Li-ion FT outdoor motor has its own solar solution, product code MT03-0302-050004. It belongs to the dedicated FT outdoor charging system and should not be substituted with the indoor panel just because both are 5V products.

Shop the Automate Outdoor Solar Panel for Li-ion FT or view the Li-ion FT 15Nm outdoor motor

What About the Li-ion FT USB-C Port Extension?

The Li-ion FT motor uses dedicated weather-resistant USB-C port extensions in 1.5 metre and 2.5 metre lengths. They are not the same product as the ordinary white 4 metre USB-C cable used with the Automate Wind & Sun Sensor.

If USB-C versus Micro-B is causing confusion, read our connector identification guide

Does Solar Mean You Never Need to Plug the Blind In?

Not necessarily. Solar performance depends on available light, panel position, motor usage, blind size and battery condition. Think of the panel as a way to maintain or supplement charging on a compatible system, not as a promise that every blind will stay full forever without manual charging.

Which Solar Panel Should I Buy?

If you have a compatible current 5V indoor Li-ion motor, start with MT03-0302-067002. If you have the Li-ion FT outdoor motor, use MT03-0302-050004 and the FT charging components. If your motor is older or you cannot identify it, confirm the motor before ordering.

Use our charger finder or the complete Automate charging guide