Auckland Wide · Free Consultation
A solar skylight is an opening skylight that powers itself. A small photovoltaic panel on the frame charges a battery, which drives an electric motor to open and close the sash. Because it does not need mains power, there is no electrician running cable through your ceiling and no wall switch to cut in. That makes solar skylights in West Auckland a practical choice for retrofits in existing homes.
Control is usually by a wireless remote or wall-mounted keypad, and many systems can be set on timers to open for a set time each morning. Every unit we fit has an integrated rain sensor that closes the sash automatically when moisture lands on it, which matters in a region where a clear sky can turn to a westerly downpour within minutes.
Solar skylights are ideal for high ceilings, stairwells and bathrooms where a manual pole is awkward. They can also drive matching solar blinds for light control in bedrooms. If you are still deciding between vented options, our opening skylights page compares manual, electric and solar models, and our skylight installation page explains how the work is done from start to finish.
No obligation. Tell us about your roofing project.
Self-powered opening skylights supplied, installed and set up to run automatically.
We frame the opening, fit the unit on a correctly formed upstand, flash it to suit your roof and line the shaft. Then we commission the solar system, pair the remote, test the motor and confirm the rain sensor closes the sash.
Replacing an old fixed or manual skylight with a solar model is one of the simplest upgrades we do. Where the existing opening is a compatible size, the new unit can often go into the same framing with new flashings.
The rain sensor is what makes a solar skylight practical to leave open. We position and test it as part of every installation, and check sensors on existing units that are slow to respond or have stopped closing in the rain.
Matching solar-powered blinds let you darken a bedroom or cut afternoon glare without reaching the ceiling. They run off their own panel and, on many systems, can be operated from the same remote as the skylight itself.
Batteries in solar skylights eventually lose capacity, and motors can wear. We test the charging system, replace tired batteries and repair or replace motors so the skylight opens reliably and, more importantly, closes when it should.
We set up remotes, wall keypads and timer functions so the skylight vents the room at the times you choose, such as after the morning shower or during the hottest part of a summer afternoon.
Solar models make most sense where a skylight is out of reach, where running power would mean opening up finished ceilings, or where you want ventilation to happen without thinking about it. They are popular in two-storey stairwells, ensuites and upstairs bedrooms with raked ceilings. In a single-level kitchen with an easy-to-reach skylight, a manual opener may do the job for less.
The panel needs reasonable daylight to keep the battery topped up, so a skylight under heavy tree cover in the Waitākere foothills may need a different approach, such as an electric unit wired to mains power. We look at shading and orientation during our site visit before recommending a solar unit.
No mains wiring means a simpler, cleaner installation, especially in finished homes. The skylight draws its energy from daylight, so there is no ongoing power cost to operate it day to day.
Integrated rain sensors close the skylight as soon as moisture is detected, so you can leave it venting while you are at work without worrying about the next passing West Auckland shower.
Skylights that are hard to reach rarely get opened. Remote and timer control means the room actually gets ventilated, which helps clear steam and reduces condensation and mould on linings.
We check how much daylight the panel will get before recommending a solar unit. If trees or neighbouring buildings shade the roof heavily, we will suggest an alternative rather than install something that struggles.
We commission each solar skylight, pair the controls, program any timers and walk you through how it all works, including how to close it manually if the battery is ever flat.
All solar skylight installations are carried out by our licensed and insured team and covered by our workmanship guarantee, alongside whatever product warranty the manufacturer provides for the unit itself.
We provide solar skylights across West Auckland, including Henderson, New Lynn, Te Atatū, Titirangi, Massey, Ranui, Glen Eden, and Kumeū.
If your suburb isn't listed, get in touch anyway — the list is a starting point, not a boundary. We work right across West Auckland and the wider Auckland region, so tell us where you are and what you need, and we'll confirm when we can get to you.
Answers to the questions West Auckland homeowners ask us most about solar skylights.
The panel charges the battery from daylight, not just direct sun, so overcast days still provide some charge. The battery stores enough energy for normal opening and closing between charges. Long, dark spells in winter can run it down, which is why keeping the panel clean matters.
This is uncommon, but if it happens most units can be closed manually or by connecting a temporary power source. We explain the procedure for your model at handover. Replacing an ageing battery before it fails is the best prevention.
No mains wiring is required for the skylight itself, so in most cases no electrician is needed. The remote or wall keypad is wireless. That is one of the main advantages over an electric skylight in an existing home.
Yes. Solar skylights use the same flashing systems as other units, with kits designed for profiled tiles, flat tiles, corrugate and trapezoidal metal, and membrane roofs. We match the flashing to your specific roof profile.
Yes, provided the battery is charged and the rain sensor is clean and working. The sensor detects moisture and triggers the motor to close the sash. We test this function as part of every installation and service.
Interested in a skylight that opens and closes itself? Tell us about the room, the roof type and whether there are trees or buildings shading that part of the roof. We will visit, check the orientation and framing, and let you know whether a solar skylight is the right fit, along with a clear quote for supply and installation.
