Short answer: The Somfy Soliris RTS Sun and Wind Sensor 24V DC Kit (9012500) is a wired, wall-mounted sensor that talks to RTS motors by radio. It retracts an awning about 2 seconds after wind passes your threshold and lowers it when sun passes yours. The kit ships with its own 24V transformer, and it pairs to any Somfy RTS motor or receiver.
One sensor, two jobs over the patio
Most awning owners start with a wind sensor. The Somfy Soliris RTS Sun and Wind Sensor 24V DC Kit adds a light cell to the same housing, so one device guards the fabric in a gust and runs the shade on a hot afternoon. Somfy credits automatic sun control with cutting energy use by up to 40%.
Somfy lists 9012500 for awnings, exterior solar screens, interior window coverings, pergolas and rolling shutters. The common thread is an RTS motor. The sensor sends radio orders, so the motor or receiver it controls has to speak RTS at 433.420 MHz.
Pick Soliris over a wind-only sensor once the awning or screen also needs to come down for sun. Pick the Eolis RTS Wind Sensor 24V DC Kit (9012499) if wind protection is the whole brief.
Soliris RTS 24V kit specs from Somfy
Figures below come from Somfy's 9012500 product page and the Soliris RTS 24V instructions (ref. 182449A).
| Spec | Somfy figure |
|---|---|
| Somfy reference | 9012500 |
| Kit contents | Soliris RTS sensor plus 24V transformer |
| Power | 24V DC kit, 25 mA rated current at 24V DC, Class 2 transformer |
| Radio | RTS, 433.420 MHz |
| Wind threshold | Adjustable, 6 to 31 mph |
| Sun threshold | Adjustable, up to 50 kilolux |
| Transformer to sensor distance | 164 ft maximum |
| Operating temperature | -4 to 122 F |
| Protection index | IP 34 |
| Color | White |
| Warranty | 5 years |
The 164 ft figure matters on a deep patio. Installers can park the transformer at an indoor outlet and run low-voltage cable out to the fascia.
Motors, receivers and remotes that fit Soliris
Plan the system around the radio. The sensor and the remote both talk RTS, so the motor side has to listen on 433.420 MHz.
- RTS awning and shade motors. Any Somfy motor with built-in RTS radio takes sensor orders. For a lateral-arm awning, Somfy RTS options include the Sunea 535A2 CMO RTS (1116321) and the Altus RTS 525A2 (1043423).
- Wired 120V motors. A 4-wire motor with no radio joins through the Universal RTS Receiver (1810627), which then accepts the sensor like any RTS motor.
- A remote with a sun switch. The Situo 5 Soliris RTS Pure II (1870579) runs five channels and lets the owner activate the sun sensor. The Telis 4 Soliris RTS Patio (1811243) does the same in a patio housing.
A standard RTS remote still runs the awning up and down. It has no way to turn the sun function on or off. Somfy builds that switch into the Soliris remotes, so plan one per sensor-controlled zone.
Wind and sun thresholds, and what the awning does
Two potentiometers inside the sensor set the trip points, one for wind speed and one for light. The awning jogs up and down once to confirm each change.
Somfy's instructions spell out the timing:
- Wind above threshold: the sensor sends an UP order after 2 seconds.
- While wind stays above threshold, the motor ignores every other command, manual or automatic.
- Once wind drops, the sun function stays locked out for 12 minutes.
- Sun above threshold: after 2 minutes the awning moves down to its intermediate position or its down limit.
- Sun drops away: the UP order follows after a delay of 15 to 30 minutes, longer when the sun has been out a long time.
Those delays stop a passing cloud from cycling the fabric all afternoon. Wind gets the short fuse. Fabric damage happens fast.
For testing, Somfy provides a demo mode: turn the wind potentiometer to its clockwise stop. The motor jogs, the delays shorten, and the wind threshold drops to 6 mph. Return the dial to a working setting before you leave the job. Somfy warns against leaving the sensor in demo mode.
Pairing Soliris to an RTS motor
Check direction first. The DOWN button on the remote already programmed to the motor must lower the awning. If UP extends it, a wind order would extend the awning in a storm, and Somfy flags that setup as dangerous. Correct the rotation using the motor's own install guide in our Somfy spec library.
The steps below follow Somfy's Soliris RTS 24V instructions:
- On a remote already programmed to the motor, press and hold PROG for more than 2 seconds. The awning jogs down and up to show the motor is in programming mode.
- Give the PROG button on the Soliris RTS sensor a short press. The awning jogs again, and the motor records the sensor.
The same short press on a sensor the motor already knows removes it. Repeat the pair for each motor or receiver the sensor should control. Remote button layouts differ by model, so match step 1 to the instructions for your Situo or Telis.
Mounting and wiring notes
Mount the sensor on a wall where it sees the same wind and sun as the awning. Avoid spots sheltered by the awning cassette, a roof overhang or a neighboring wall.
Wiring runs through the base of the sensor:
- Turn off power and let the transformer discharge before you connect anything.
- Remove the cover and unscrew the plate over the wiring compartment.
- Loosen the strain relief and feed the power leads through the black grommet to the terminal block.
- Connect the leads. The terminal block lifts out, and input polarity does not matter.
- Refit the compartment plate, then secure the front cover with the supplied screws.
Keep the run under 164 ft between transformer and sensor.
Start with the Soliris RTS Sun and Wind Sensor 24V DC Kit (9012500), which carries Somfy's 5-year warranty. Add a Situo 5 Soliris or Telis 4 Soliris remote so the owner controls the sun function. Browse the rest of the range in Somfy sun, wind and rain sensors, and read our guide to Somfy wind, sun and rain sensors or the Universal RTS Receiver guide for wired motors.
Sources: Somfy 9012500 product page (somfysystems.com), Soliris RTS 24V instructions ref. 182449A, Somfy 1870579 and 1811243 product pages.
Soliris RTS sensor FAQ
Does the Soliris RTS sensor need a special remote?
The awning runs from any RTS remote paired to its motor. To turn the sun function on or off, Somfy uses Soliris remotes such as the Situo 5 Soliris RTS Pure II (1870579) or the Telis 4 Soliris RTS Patio (1811243). Plan one Soliris remote for each zone the sensor controls, so the owner can stop sun moves on a cool day.
How fast does Soliris retract an awning in wind?
Somfy's instructions give 2 seconds from the moment wind passes the threshold to the UP order. While wind stays above that setting, the motor blocks every other command, including the remote. After wind drops, the sun function waits 12 minutes before it can lower the awning again, so gusty weather does not cycle the fabric.
Can the Soliris kit control a wired awning motor?
Soliris sends RTS radio orders, so the motor needs an RTS receiver. A Somfy motor with built-in RTS, such as the Sunea 535A2 CMO RTS, pairs direct. A wired 120V four-wire motor joins through the Universal RTS Receiver (1810627), which accepts the sensor and a remote. Somfy also lists the kit for pergolas and rolling shutters.
What wind speed can I set on the Soliris sensor?
The wind potentiometer adjusts from 6 to 31 mph, per Somfy's Soliris RTS 24V instructions. A second potentiometer sets the sun threshold up to 50 kilolux. The awning jogs once to confirm each change. Turning the wind dial to its clockwise stop enters demo mode at 6 mph with shortened delays, so set a working value before you finish the install.
Shade Motors Direct is an authorized source for genuine Somfy motorized window shade, blind, and drapery parts.
