Shades that automatically drop down at night?

lutron ra2 system with sivoia qs wireless shades.
Very flexible time clock including astronomic functions.
You would need to find a friendly installer for this.

1. Use the sensor but set the up limit as the down limit and the down limit as the up limit, i.e. operate the motor in reverse and remember to use your remotes upside down.

2. Use timers

3. Use an additional control system where you can have program logic in between the sensors and the shades.

What would happen with an unfriendly installer? :P

I went with Hunter Douglas. They've got a motorized system called PowerRise that is battery operated (the reason I went with it - no wires/retrofitting). The PowerRise shades are controlled by RF transmitter. They've also got a little device the Platinum RF Module (or something like that). It's a little dongle that plugs into a standard switched outlet. When the outlet has power, the shades rise; when it's off, they lower. I plugged the module into a Lutron lamp module which is then plugged into an outlet. I've got my Lutron system, which includes a bunch of lights and the one set of 4 shades, programmed to do different things at different times. I actually don't have my shades set to rise or lower at a particular time, but instead have them on various event buttons. So, for example, I've got a button called "Night". I hit that button on a Lutron keypad, or my iPad or my HAI OmniTouch keypad and the interior lights go out, certain exterior lights go on and the shades lower. When I hit the "Morning" button, the shades rise, the exterior lights go off and certain interior lights come on. I could do the shades on the Lutron clock but I like them more "manual". The nice thing about the Hunter Douglas system is that you've got more options on the shades, it can be powered by battery and it's cheaper than Sivoia. http://www.hunterdouglas.com/product-option.jsp?id=164

PS. You obviously wouldn't have to control the HD system via Lutron. Anything that can controll a standard outlet would work, including a good old timer.

Hunter has finally come up with a simple system that works as you have described Saul. Best part is that they are affordable with a reasonable budget.

They are available not only in honeycomb (Cellular) but also roller shades and other types.

No wiring necessary, but if you want to eliminate the battery power, you can use a wall cube.

Batteries are supposed to last more than a year with one trip in each direction each day.

I've had one operating as you describe for 6 months or so now and it works great. I have mine programmed much as Saul does, but use Elve Software.

Add a relay. Or 2 if you need to invert the command.

As stated, if you find a 'friendly' installer, you may get access to the programming software after the install. But, most will not provide it, as it may mean less future income.

The more experienced, better Installers are not hurting for business.

Most parts can be sourced online, but reprogramming may be an issue.

But honestly, how often are you going to change hardware? You can afford to make changes every 5 years.

The software communicates with the controller over IP. Nothing fancy. Lutron controlls acess by making it unavailable for download unless you have username and password. My installer downloaded the software on my home computer so that can make adjustments to the programming. I'm not sure that I agree with Neurorad that most will not provide it. I spoke to a few different sources and all of them seemed willing to give me access.