Have you ever looked at your garden fence and thought, “What a waste of space?” Probably not, but the guys at Sun booster yes. And they didn't just think it: they created a system that transforms that useless dividing barrier into a personal power plant. The Austrian company has just launched Sunbooster Vertical, a simple and brilliant concept: replace the privacy screens of a double metal grid fence with double-sided photovoltaic panels. A solution that not only generates energy, but does so precisely at the hours when we need it most, increasing production by 15% thanks to the albedo effect.
If even a fence becomes “smart”
Let's face it: garden fences have always been rather dull objects. Their only purpose is to delimit a space, perhaps with some aesthetic pretensions. With this Sunbooster Vertical we are witnessing a conceptual evolution: the fence becomes intelligent, productive, an active part of the domestic ecosystem.
The system does not simply “decorate” the existing fence; it completely transforms it by replacing traditional privacy screens with flexible, bifacial photovoltaic modules. This “two-sided” feature is fundamental: The panels capture sunlight from both sides, maximizing energy production with both direct and reflected light.
Strategic energy production
The vertical orientation of the panels of this photovoltaic enclosure might seem counterintuitive to those accustomed to traditional sloping panels on roofs. However, this arrangement has a significant strategic advantage: peak production It happens in the morning and late afternoon, coinciding with times of greatest domestic energy demand.
The system is also particularly effective during the winter, when the sun is low on the horizon and hits the vertical panels more directly. A significant advantage in an era in which we are trying to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels precisely in the coldest months. All in a surprisingly compact package: the modules They measure just 1,8 mm thick and weigh approximately 1 kg for the 2-metre version, or 1,2 kg for the 2,5-metre version. Despite its small size, a system with four 2,5-meter solar “bands” reaches a power of 1,872 kW.
Perfect integration
What makes Sunbooster Vertical particularly interesting, as mentioned, is its ability to integrate into existing structures. It does not require additional space, and uses surfaces already dedicated to another purpose. The installation is optimized for an east-west orientation, allowing it to capture sunlight throughout the entire day.
The modules use bifacial monocrystalline solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 22,8%: a very respectable value. They are designed to work in a temperature range -20°C to +60°C and boast IP67 certification, which guarantees resistance to water and dust. In an age where we are desperately trying to exploit every available square inch for renewable energy production, this solar fence is a small masterpiece of lateral thinking applied to everyday sustainability.
