Sun Protection with Colmuspro

Sun‑shade Control

The sun‑shade control system enables both automatic and manual regulation of awnings and blinds. Its purpose is to protect indoor areas from direct sunlight while improving comfort and energy efficiency.

A time‑based schedule can be used to open and close the awnings and blinds. In addition, sunrise and sunset times can be used to automate these actions. For example, the system can be configured so that the awning lowers one hour before sunrise and retracts one hour before sunset.

As a safety measure during strong winds, the system can automatically retract blinds and awnings once a defined maximum wind speed is exceeded within one hour.

In case of rain, the awning is also forcibly retracted to provide additional protection.

Regardless of the automatic control, awnings and blinds can be operated manually at any time using a remote control.

Used Hardware

A CONTROLLINO MINI® is used, which is a freely programmable, Arduino®‑compatible PLC controller.

A Raspberry Pi 5 serves as the central unit, handling both the control logic and the web server.

A Modbus weather station records meteorological data such as outdoor temperature, wind speed, and humidity. In addition, a rain sensor is used. Communication takes place via serial interfaces (RS485 and RS232).

For manual operation, a wireless transmitter and a wireless in‑wall switch are used.

Bill of Materials

• 1 pc. wireless handheld transmitter

• 1 pc. 12 V DC / 1.5 A DIN‑rail power supply

• 4 pcs. relay socket type 95.65

• 4 pcs. relay type 40.52, 230 VAC

• 1 pc. distribution box with DIN rail, approx. 30 × 30 × 15 cm

• 1 pc. Raspberry Pi® 5 B, 4 GB, 4 × 1.5 GHz

• 1 pc. Raspberry Pi® plug‑in power supply

• 1 pc. SDXC card, 16 GB, Class 10

• 1 pc. Modbus weather station

• 1 pc. Modbus rain sensor

• 2 pcs. LED signal indicator, 5 mm, yellow, 24 V DC

• 1 pc. USB‑to‑RS485 adapter

• 2 pcs. wireless in‑wall switches

Software

The software is based on Node‑RED running on the Raspberry Pi as well as the Arduino IDE. The Controllino Mini® operates as a Modbus RTU slave, while the control logic is implemented on the Raspberry Pi using Node‑RED.

Overview

Display of the current time and date as well as sunrise and sunset times. These are retrieved via an API, for which the location coordinates must be provided. Meteorological data such as outdoor temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

Blinds and Awning

Rain Protection

Display of the current time and date as well as the sunrise and sunset times. These are retrieved via an API, for which the location coordinates must be provided. Meteorological data such as outdoor temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

Wind Safety Function

The wind‑protection function can be switched on or off. If the wind speed surpasses the defined threshold, the blinds and awning retract automatically.

Sunrise and Sunset Times

Display of the current time as well as sunrise and sunset times for orientation.

During commissioning, all parameters must first be entered.

Timed Control Program

A switchable time‑based schedule with integrated sun‑position logic for fully automated control.

System

Section for viewing system data and for testing and debugging the application logic.

Recommendation

Depending on the components used or already installed, both the wiring and the programming can be adapted. It is recommended to replace the Controllino Mini with an automation controller that supports the Modbus protocol. This allows the entire control logic to be implemented directly on the Raspberry Pi using Node‑RED.