Motorized outdoor shades: battery, solar, plug-in or hardwired?
By Patio Shade Finder · 82 motorized products, read from seller pages on Nov 1, 2026 · download the data
How a motorized shade gets its power decides what you'll need on install day. A battery or solar motor needs nothing from the house. A plug-in motor needs an outdoor outlet within reach of its cord. A hardwired motor needs a licensed electrician.
The trouble is that many sellers don't say. Of the 82 motorized products on this site, 36 don't state how the motor is powered. Here's what the rest say, by type:
| Power, as the seller states it | Drop shades (43) | Retractable awnings (38) | Pergola shades (1) |
|---|
| Solar panel (charges a battery) | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Rechargeable battery | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Plug-in or standard outlet | 8 | 24 | 1 |
| Hardwired option offered | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Seller doesn’t say | 23 | 13 | 0 |
A product can count in more than one row, for example a battery charged by a solar panel, or a plug-in motor the seller says can also be hardwired.
What each one means for you
Battery: charged with a cable or charger every so often; how often depends on use, and sellers' figures vary. Solar: a small panel tops up the battery, so it needs some sun where the panel sits. Plug-in: needs a nearby outdoor outlet; check the cord length the seller lists. Hardwired: wired into the house circuit by a licensed electrician. Some sellers that offer hardwiring say it voids the warranty, and some say hardwiring is prohibited, so read the manual before you plan it.
Every motorized product, by power
Solar panel (charges a battery) (12)
Plug-in or standard outlet (33)
- The Eclipse Premier · Retractable awning · "Plug-in motor with override motor feature, remote controlled" (Somfy)
- Total Eclipse (heavy duty) · Retractable awning · "Plug-in motor with override motor feature, remote controlled" (Somfy)
- The Eclipse · Retractable awning · "Plug-in motor with override motor feature, remote controlled" (Somfy)
- Eclipse Drop Arm Awning · Retractable awning · "Plug-in motor with override motor feature, remote controlled" (Somfy)
- The Eclipse ProTilt · Retractable awning · "Plug-in motor with override motor feature, remote controlled" (Somfy)
- Zen 2 Outdoor Shade (discontinued) · Drop shade · 110v AC (RTS|485), 12v DC (RTS), or Solar Rechargeable (RTS)
- Awntech Destin 14' Red Heavy-Duty Left Motor Retractable Patio Awning with Protective Hood (237DTL14R) · Retractable awning · plug-in: 110V, NEMA 5-15P plug; "can be plugged into a standard outlet". Awntech catalog: "110 V; standard out…
- Maui Right Motorized Retractable Awning 16 ft. x 10 ft. in Black (MR16-K) · Retractable awning · Awntech catalog: "110 V; standard outlet; can be hardwired (voids warranty)"
- Awntech Hampton (full cassette) Retractable Awning (catalog line) · Retractable awning · "110 V; standard outlet; can be hardwired (voids warranty)"
- Solar Eclipse (cassette lateral arm) · Retractable awning · "Plug-in motor with override motor feature, remote controlled" (Somfy)
- Outdoor Patio Solar "Zip" Shade · Drop shade · Dooya 120V plug-in (plug can be cut to hardwire); Somfy Maestria 120V cord no plug (add plug or hardwire); Doo…
- SunSetter Motorized Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- SunSetter Motorized XL Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- SunSetter Pro Awning (with drop screen) · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- SunSetter Pro XL Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- Platinum Awning (motorized) · Retractable awning · plug-in: "All Platinum Series Awnings have a standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet."
- Platinum XL Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- Platinum Plus Awning (semi-cassette) · Retractable awning · plug-in: "All Platinum Series Awnings have a standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet."
- Platinum Plus XL Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- Platinum Beyond Awning (dealer-only) · Retractable awning · plug-in: "standard 18 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- FlexPatio POWER+ Motorized Pergola (motorized louvers) · Pergola shade · "3 × 110V" power system, "Prewired 110V" beam; needs 110V outlet within 16 ft (plug vs hardwire not stated)
- Insolroll Oasis 2800 Patio Shade · Drop shade · not stated ("Somfy AC Motors" or "Lutron DC Electronic Drive Units")
- Insolroll Oasis 2900 Patio Shade · Drop shade · not stated ("Somfy AC Motors" or "Lutron DC Electronic Drive Units")
- Outsunny 16.5' x 10' Electric Awning, Patio Retractable Awning with LED Lights and Remote Controller, Cream White · Retractable awning · electric; "AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz", 4.9' cable (plug type not stated)
- Motorized Oasis Freestanding Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: "has a standard 24 ft. cord that plugs into any grounded outlet" (Somfy motor)
- Classic Series Retractable Awning · Retractable awning · plug-in: owner's manual "Plug into a GFI rated outdoor socket"; "Modifying or hardwiring the motor is prohibit…
- Luxury Series Retractable Awning · Retractable awning · electric; "compatible with Bond Bridge and Mobile App" - plug vs hardwire NOT FOUND on product page
- Prestige Series Full-Cassette Retractable Awning · Retractable awning · electric; "smart hub connectivity and app control" - plug vs hardwire NOT FOUND
- SmartWings Motorized Zipper Track Windproof Outdoor Shades · Drop shade · battery (outlet-charging adapter or solar panel) or AC-powered motor
- Insolroll Oasis 2700 Patio Shade · Drop shade · not stated ("Somfy AC Motors" or "Lutron DC Electronic Drive Units")
- ALEKO 120-in Wide x 96-in Projection Blue Solid Motorized Retractable Patio Awning · Retractable awning · "Requires 120V AC connection for motor use."
- Oasis by Insolroll Patio Sun Shades · Drop shade · plug-in - "110V Quiet AC motor" with 10' plug-in power cord
- Patio Sun Shades (Oasis by Insolroll) · Drop shade · plug-in (10' plug-in power cord); motor type not specified
Hardwired option offered (5)
Read from each seller's page on Nov 1, 2026. We don't give wiring advice. Hardwired motors need a licensed electrician.