Solar Sunlight Control System Market Size and Share
Solar Sunlight Control System Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Solar Sunlight Control System Market size is estimated at USD 21.75 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 28.96 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.89% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Demand benefits from green-building codes that frame daylight control as a compliance requirement, federal tax incentives that cut capital payback to fewer than three years, and an expanding wellness agenda that positions dynamic glazing as a workplace health asset. Automation is now the organizing principle of competition, with predictive shading software that links real-time weather feeds to façade actuation, delivering verifiable energy savings. Component suppliers are shifting value capture toward software and analytics, while glazing and automation firms form partnerships to speed time-to-market for integrated offerings. The steady decrease in actuator and wireless sensor pricing is also opening previously cost-prohibitive retrofit opportunities, especially in the residential segment.
Key Report Takeaways
- By product type, automated solar control systems held 45.8% of the solar sunlight control system market share in 2024; smart control systems are expanding at a 12.1% CAGR through 2030.
- By technology, photoelectric sensors accounted for a 40.5% share of the solar sunlight control system market size in 2024, while infrared sensors recorded the fastest growth at 11.2% CAGR.
- By component, sensors represented 36.7% of 2024 revenue, yet software solutions are advancing at a 13.5% CAGR to 2030.
- By installation type, new construction contributed 65.1% of 2024 demand, whereas retrofit installations are growing at a 6.5% CAGR on the back of incentive programs.
- By application, commercial buildings generated 44.3% of sales in 2024, but residential applications are forecast to climb at a 7.3% CAGR thanks to household efficiency upgrades.
- By geography, North America led with a 33.9% share in 2024, and Asia-Pacific is set to register the highest 6.8% CAGR during the forecast period.
Global Solar Sunlight Control System Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stricter green-building energy codes | 1.20% | North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Commercial real-estate shift to dynamic glazing | 0.90% | Global urban centers | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Residential retrofits for energy-efficient coverings | 0.80% | North America and Europe | Short term (≤2 years) |
| U.S. Inflation Reduction Act incentives | 0.70% | United States | Short term (≤2 years) |
| AI-driven predictive shading software | 0.60% | Developed markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Health-centric certifications rewarding circadian-light management | 0.40% | Global premium projects | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Stricter Green-Building Energy Codes Elevating Daylight and Façade Performance Requirements
The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code lowered allowable air-leakage rates and tightened U-factor thresholds, forcing architects to incorporate dynamic shading at the design stage.[1]International Code Council, “2024 International Energy Conservation Code,” International Code Council, iccsafe.org California’s 2025 Title 24 updates now specify higher aged solar reflectance and thermal emittance levels, prompting façade designs that blend spectral-selective glass with automated blinds for compliance.[2]California Energy Commission, “Title 24 Part 6 2025 Standards,” Energy Code Ace, energycodeace.com Similar momentum is emerging in Southeast Asia, where Thailand’s 2025 eco-building rules embed passive orientation and fenestration guidelines that amplify daylight control needs. Because glazing now counts toward whole-building energy budgets, smart shading moves from an optional line item to a compliance necessity. System integrators are responding by bundling electrochromic glass, wireless sensors, and cloud analytics into turnkey packages that simplify permit approval workflows.
Commercial Real-Estate Shift Toward Dynamic Glazing for Wellness and Energy Savings
Corporate portfolios increasingly pursue dynamic glass to cut HVAC loads and boost tenant experience, as illustrated by DPR Construction’s San Francisco office, where monthly energy outlays fell from USD 1,800 to USD 20 after deploying electrochromic façades.[3]DPR Construction, “San Francisco Headquarters Case Study,” DPR Construction, dpr.com Dynamic glazing is still below 1% penetration, yet lifetime savings estimates that outstrip capital cost by up to 175% underpin management approval. Hybrid work has sharpened tenant focus on daylight quality, enabling landlords to command rent premiums for smart-façade space. Market adoption is expected to move from pilot zones toward portfolio-wide rollouts as building owners benchmark wellness scores against competing Class A assets. Software vendors embed circadian-light metrics into dashboards, giving facility managers tangible indicators connecting employee comfort with energy performance.
Surge in Residential Retrofits Seeking Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
Homeowners now recognize that windows account for 43% of heat gain and loss, elevating automated shades from lifestyle luxury to efficiency must-have. State programs such as California’s Lead Locally have shown 11% site-level energy reductions by mixing grid-responsive blinds and reflective films. Federal credits covering 30% of installed cost lower payback horizons, while aging-in-place trends raise demand for voice-enabled or app-controlled systems that reduce physical effort. Manufacturers, therefore, bundle retrofit-friendly wireless motors with self-calibrating sensors to shorten installation time. As integrated digital twins become common in home-energy audits, shading is expected to join insulation and heat pumps on every upgrade checklist.
U.S. Inflation Reduction Act’s 30-50% Investment Credit for Electrochromic Smart Windows
Claim volume under the Residential Clean Energy Credit exceeded USD 6 billion in 2023, underlining homeowner intent to leverage tax equity for envelope upgrades. From 2025, only registered products can qualify, an eligibility filter that pressures weaker suppliers to invest in certification or exit. The rule’s performance bias prioritizes verified energy reduction, favoring electrochromic suppliers that can document kWh savings in third-party tests. As credit stacking with utility rebates becomes standard, distributors bundle tax documentation support into sales proposals, accelerating project close rates. Spillover benefits into Canada and Mexico are expected through cross-border distributors that source U.S.-qualified products.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High upfront cost of smart glass and motorized shading | -1.10% | Global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Skilled-labor shortage for complex retrofit work | -0.80% | North America and Europe | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Limited recyclability of multilayer smart films | -0.50% | Europe leading | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Cybersecurity threats to IoT-connected shading | -0.40% | Global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
High Upfront Cost of Smart Glass and Motorized Shading
Despite raising nearly USD 3 billion over 15 years, View Inc. captured under 0.05% of architectural glass demand before entering pre-packaged Chapter 11, illustrating cost barriers even for well-funded innovators.[4]Glass Magazine Staff, “View Inc. Files for Chapter 11,” Glass Magazine, glassmagazine.com Electrochromic production relies on vacuum deposition and encapsulation steps that still lack scale economies. Motorized shade installations can double project budgets once wiring, commissioning, and systems integration are included, creating resistance in price-sensitive segments. However, falling electronics costs and tax credits are narrowing the gap between smart and conventional glazing, suggesting that pricing pressure will ease by the next investment cycle.
Skilled-Labor Shortage for Complex Retrofit Installations
The U.S. construction sector needs more than 2 million additional workers by 2029, with acute shortages among low-voltage electricians and façade technicians. Johnson Controls expanded its Academy program to train 300 technicians yearly, yet 46% of human-resources managers still report difficulty filling building-systems roles. Retrofits demand expertise in legacy wiring and modern protocols, lengthening project schedules and inflating labor costs. Automation vendors now ship pre-terminated plug-and-play harnesses and provide augmented-reality job aids to accelerate learning curves.
Segment Analysis
By Product Type: Automation Drives Market Evolution
Automated systems held the largest 45.8% share of the solar sunlight control system market in 2024, reflecting the long-standing preference for time-clock or sensor-based façade actuation. Smart control platforms are growing at a 12.1% CAGR and steadily converting legacy automated sites because they overlay AI prediction on existing hardware. The solar sunlight control system market size for smart control systems is forecast to expand rapidly as software updates extract new value from installed sensors without major hardware swaps. Manual alternatives still serve low-budget projects but continue to lose ground each year.
Growth in the segment stems from predictive algorithms that pre-cool spaces before occupancy peaks and coordinate with on-site photovoltaics to maximize self-consumption. WELL and LEED scoring frameworks explicitly acknowledge glare mitigation, giving smart control systems a certification edge. Vendors now release modular firmware updates rather than proprietary replacements, extending product life and lowering capital hurdles. As a result, facility managers are bundling shading analytics into broader building-management dashboards where lighting, HVAC, and access control converge.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Technology: Infrared Sensors Gain Thermal Management Edge
Photoelectric sensors retained a 40.5% share in 2024, but infrared sensors are projected to climb at a 11.2% CAGR by 2030 as facility teams seek granular heat-load data. Hybrid arrays that pair illuminance and infrared detectors improve decision accuracy by distinguishing glare from passive daylight, preventing unnecessary shade closures that would raise artificial-lighting demand. The solar sunlight control system market size for infrared sensors is expanding fastest in sunbelt cities where cooling loads dominate operating expenses.
Metal-organic framework micro-bolometers that switch state within two seconds offer responsiveness suited to cloud-fleeting conditions, while wireless mesh networking eases retrofit constraints. Manufacturers embed over-the-air firmware updates to hone detection thresholds, making sensor networks adaptive over time. Although the cost per node is higher than photoelectric units, lifecycle savings from precise control justify adoption in high-performance buildings.
By Component: Software Solutions Drive Intelligence Premium
Sensors accounted for 36.7% of revenue in 2024, yet software solutions are advancing at a 13.5% CAGR on subscription-based analytics. Software now mediates between controllers and actuators, enabling predictive adjustments that cut wear and lower maintenance. The solar sunlight control system market share for sensors remains stable, but incremental growth concentrates in edge gateways that host machine-learning models locally to reduce latency.
AI vendors integrate shading data with BIM files, allowing simulations that test façade tweaks against energy tariffs before physical changes occur. Once the value anchor, actuators face commoditization as stepper-motor suppliers in Asia drive down unit prices. Consequently, suppliers emphasize silent operation and extended warranty to differentiate. Wireless communication modules rise within the “Others” category, propelled by radio-agnostic chips that auto-select between Bluetooth, Zigbee, and proprietary protocols.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Installation Type: Retrofit Acceleration Challenges New Construction Dominance
New builds commanded 65.1% of 2024 demand, given the ease of embedding shading logic during design. However, the retrofit segment is running at a 6.5% CAGR through 2030 as utilities tie rebates to envelope performance. The solar sunlight control system market size attributed to retrofits is set to rise sharply once standardized wireless kits cut typical installation time by 40%.
Retrofit complexity centers on electrical feeds and integration with vintage building-automation protocols. Vendors ship battery-powered motors with photovoltaic trickle charging to sidestep wiring constraints. Digital twin technology models thermal impact before installers arrive, helping owners sequence projects alongside roof or HVAC upgrades to minimize downtime. In parallel, new-construction specifications shift toward unitized curtain-wall assemblies that embed shading rails at the factory, streamlining on-site commissioning.
By Application: Residential Surge Challenges Commercial Leadership
Commercial premises generated 44.3% of global revenue in 2024, driven by ESG targets and wellness certifications. Residential demand, however, is pacing a 7.3% CAGR as federal credits and utility rebates shrink payback to fewer than five years. The solar sunlight control system market size for residential applications benefits from platform ecosystems that let occupants manage shades, lights, and thermostats via a single mobile app.
Industrial users adopt solar control largely for process stability in temperature-sensitive manufacturing zones, while agriculture emerges as a niche yet promising field. Partnerships such as 3M and Voltiris demonstrate how spectral-filter films combined with photovoltaic strips can supply up to 70% of greenhouse energy needs while maintaining crop yields. Scriptable shade logic also supports poultry and dairy sectors, where photoperiod control influences productivity.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
North America held 33.9% of 2024 revenue after the Inflation Reduction Act extended a 30% tax credit to electrochromic windows, triggering more than USD 6 billion in claims in 2023 alone. California’s revised Title 24 added stricter reflectance and emittance metrics that indirectly elevate shading demand, and Canada mirrors many standards via provincial codes. Mexico benefits from near-shoring automation component plants that shorten supply chains. Across the region, robust building-automation infrastructure supports fast adoption, though a tightening labor pool tempers retrofit velocity.
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing territory at 6.8% CAGR, with China, India, and Southeast Asia driving urban high-rise construction. China’s decision to curb exports of core photovoltaic tech is prompting domestic glass producers to invest in smart-façade capacity, while India’s BIPV policy roadmap links tariff exemptions to locally integrated shading solutions. Japan and South Korea leverage electronics expertise to bundle shading with home-energy management hubs. Skilled labor remains scarce in several ASEAN markets, so manufacturers export pre-assembled modules that install with minimal technical intervention.
Europe maintains a policy-led trajectory centered on circular-economy mandates and wellness standards. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom enforce retrofit quotas for public buildings, funneling subsidy flows toward dynamic shading. With high latitude daylight swings, Nordic countries value circadian-light management and therefore adopt premium electrochromic façades. Southern Europe sees rising retrofit interest due to the heat-wave frequency that stresses conventional air-conditioning. Extended producer responsibility debates on smart-film recyclability could impose future liabilities and spur eco-design innovation.
Competitive Landscape
Competition remains moderate, with no single brand exceeding 10% global share. Hunter Douglas, Somfy Systems, and Lutron Electronics anchor the legacy shading segment, whereas View Inc. and Saint-Gobain’s SageGlass push electrochromic advances. Schneider Electric partnered with Saint-Gobain to automate glass annealing ovens, reflecting a broader trend toward vertical integration that combines production expertise with control software. ABB linked its InSite platform with Samsung SmartThings to embed energy management in consumer IoT ecosystems, signaling convergence between residential electronics and commercial automation.
Strategic moves focus on software differentiation. Somfy’s SDN Connect grants real-time motor diagnostics, reducing maintenance site visits. Johnson Controls doubled its technician-training capacity to secure human capital that supports installed base expansions. Gauzy introduced black SPD glass at CES 2025, aiming for automotive and architectural crossover, and Eastman Chemical is upgrading Belgian extrusion to meet demand for laminated interlayers that improve blast resistance and UV rejection.
White-space innovation emerges in agriculture, where light-transmitting PV modules reposition shade from energy-saving accessory to crop-yield tool. Start-ups offering AI-as-a-service for façade control attract venture funding by promising hardware-agnostic software that monetizes existing sensor networks. As patent portfolios on early electrochromic chemistries expire, low-cost entrants from Asia may trigger price competition, further fragmenting supplier power unless consolidation accelerates.
Solar Sunlight Control System Industry Leaders
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Hunter Douglas
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Somfy Systems
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Lutron Electronics
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View Inc.
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Warema Renkhoff SE
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- March 2025: Wang & Lee Group acquired Solar (HK) Limited for HKD 15 million (USD 1.9 million) to merge solar expertise with lithium-ion storage projects while launching IoT services through Linko Smart Technology.
- February 2025: ABB and Samsung Electronics integrated ABB’s InSite energy-management system into SmartThings to offer real-time load control for households and small businesses.
- January 2025: Gauzy unveiled black SPD Smart Glass with embedded transparent solar cells, targeting rapid opacity switching for mobility and building applications.
- November 2024: Eastman Chemical committed capital to upgrade Ghent extrusion lines for Saflex™ interlayers serving automotive and architectural markets.
Global Solar Sunlight Control System Market Report Scope
| Manual Solar Control Systems |
| Automated Solar Control Systems |
| Smart Control Systems |
| Photoelectric Sensors |
| Thermal Sensors |
| Infrared Sensors |
| Wireless Technology |
| Actuators |
| Controllers |
| Sensors |
| Software Solutions |
| Others |
| New Installations |
| Retrofit Installations |
| Residential |
| Commercial |
| Industrial |
| Agriculture |
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| NORDIC Countries | |
| Russia | |
| Rest of Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| India | |
| Japan | |
| South Korea | |
| ASEAN Countries | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America | |
| Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | |
| South Africa | |
| Egypt | |
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
| By Product Type | Manual Solar Control Systems | |
| Automated Solar Control Systems | ||
| Smart Control Systems | ||
| By Technology | Photoelectric Sensors | |
| Thermal Sensors | ||
| Infrared Sensors | ||
| Wireless Technology | ||
| By Component | Actuators | |
| Controllers | ||
| Sensors | ||
| Software Solutions | ||
| Others | ||
| By Installation Type | New Installations | |
| Retrofit Installations | ||
| By Application | Residential | |
| Commercial | ||
| Industrial | ||
| Agriculture | ||
| By Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| NORDIC Countries | ||
| Russia | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |
| India | ||
| Japan | ||
| South Korea | ||
| ASEAN Countries | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| South Africa | ||
| Egypt | ||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the solar sunlight control system market?
The solar sunlight control system market size is USD 21.75 billion as of 2025.
How fast is demand expected to grow through 2030?
Aggregate demand is forecast to register a 5.89% CAGR, lifting revenue to USD 28.96 billion by 2030.
Which region shows the highest growth momentum?
Asia-Pacific leads with a projected 6.8% CAGR, driven by rapid urban development and supportive energy policies.
Which segment is expanding fastest within the product landscape?
Smart control systems are advancing at a 12.1% CAGR, outpacing automated and manual alternatives.
How do federal incentives influence U.S. adoption?
A 30% investment tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act cuts payback periods below three years, accelerating both residential and commercial projects.
What major risk could slow large-scale deployment?
A shortfall of skilled retrofit technicians and rising cybersecurity requirements could constrain roll-out schedules.
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