Question 1

What's the difference between Sollux and a real (roof) skylight?

Accepted Answer

A real skylight needs a physical opening straight through the roof, so it only works on a top floor, directly beneath open sky. It cannot be installed in a basement, an internal room, an upper floor of a multi-storey building, or anywhere else a roof simply isn't reachable. Sollux is an LED ceiling panel that replicates how real sunlight looks and feels within a space, without any roof penetration, so it works in exactly those places a real skylight physically cannot. It can also be used at any time of day or night, including well after sunset, whereas a real skylight only provides light while the sun is actually up and the sky is clear.

Question 2

What's special about Sollux Skylights compared with other LED skylights on the market?

Accepted Answer

Sollux skylights use highly specialised optics to replicate how actual sunlight looks and feels. Other artificial skylights on the market use what's called Rayleigh scattering, which means the panel itself can look realistic, but the light being emitted is very similar to normal panel lighting, not sunlight.

Question 3

What's the difference between an LED skylight, an artificial skylight, and a virtual skylight?

Accepted Answer

Not much - these are largely interchangeable industry terms. Sollux refers to its products as artificial or synthetic skylights, because they're built to be as close to the real thing as possible. LED skylights and virtual skylights, in our experience, are often lower-quality products that rely on Rayleigh scattering to make the panel look blue with a sun effect, without producing a genuinely realistic sunlight output.

Question 4

What is the price difference between a Sollux skylight and a real skylight?

Accepted Answer

According to leading skylight installers, the price of a Sollux skylight is very similar to a real skylight, except it's much easier and faster to install, with no roof penetration or weatherproofing work involved.

Question 5

When should I use a Sollux skylight?

Accepted Answer

Sollux skylights exist to bring sunlighting into spaces that otherwise couldn't get it. It's often the case that Sollux skylights are used on a project alongside real skylights, in the parts of the building a real skylight can't reach. The ability to have light 24 hours a day, including after dark, is also an important factor to weigh up when deciding where to use one.

Question 6

Which rooms or spaces suit a Sollux installation?

Accepted Answer

Most rooms suit a Sollux installation: kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms and home offices are all common installations, especially rooms with little or no access to natural light.

Question 7

Will sitting under Sollux feel hot, the way direct sunlight does?

Accepted Answer

No. Sollux is an LED light source, not a heat source, so unlike real sunlight coming through glass, it doesn't carry the radiant heat or UV that makes a room warm up under a real skylight. This is a genuine, practical differentiator against real skylights, which can make a room noticeably hotter, especially in summer, whereas a room under Sollux stays at a comfortable, consistent temperature regardless of the sky effect showing.

Question 8

Does Sollux give off UV light, and can it help with vitamin D like real sunlight?

Accepted Answer

No. The lighting effects simulate real sunlight but do not have the properties of sunlight like UV and vitamin D.

Question 9

Are Sollux skylights useful for growing indoor plants?

Accepted Answer

Not as a dedicated grow light, so it isn't the right choice if you're trying to raise plants that need serious growth or flowering. But it puts out meaningfully more usable light than ordinary indoor lighting, and it performs well specifically for sunny, bright-light-loving plant varieties. So for typical indoor plants, especially ones that prefer a brighter spot, Sollux is a genuinely better option to sit near than standard room lighting, even though it's not marketed or positioned as a grow light.

Question 10

How much glare do the skylights create?

Accepted Answer

The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) of all Sollux products is below 19, which is the standard requirement for offices, schools and reading areas. Sollux doesn't just meet that requirement, it exceeds it considerably, for maximum comfort and minimum glare.

Question 11

Can Sollux help with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sleep issues or general mood?

Accepted Answer

Sollux is engineered to exceed the Equivalent Melanopic Lux (EML) threshold set by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). IWBI is the organisation behind the WELL Building Standard, a globally recognised framework used by architects, developers and building owners to certify that a space is designed to support human health and wellbeing, with light as one of its core measured concepts alongside air, water, nourishment, movement and mental health. Because IWBI is an independent, third-party standard setter rather than a manufacturer's own marketing claim, meeting or exceeding its EML threshold is a meaningful, externally verifiable benchmark. IWBI's standard requires at least 250 EML for circadian-supportive lighting, and more EML has a better effect on circadian rhythm. Sollux's own test results, shown below across its tunable colour-temperature range, sit far above that threshold even at the warmest, most relaxing setting. Supporting circadian rhythm and wellbeing is a genuine, documented design target for Sollux, and this kind of light-based circadian support is also an established practice in real clinical settings. Simulated daylight systems built on the same underlying lighting technology that powers Sollux have been used for light-therapy applications, including psychiatric emergency rooms, ECT rooms and geriatric psychiatric wards (Amer Mental Rehabilitation Center, Denmark); a dedicated hospital light-therapy room for depression and sleep disorders where 10,000 lux exposure was reported as significantly more effective than medication alone (Hua Xi Hospital, China); chemoradiotherapy treatment rooms to ease patient anxiety during long sessions (a Spanish hospital); and aged care and dementia nursing homes to help regulate sleep-wake cycles (Auckland and Dublin).

Question 12

Are Sollux products flicker free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An oscilloscope reading of the output waveform from a Sollux driver shows a flat, stable line (averaging 40.0V, ranging only from 39.7V to 40.8V, a spread of about 2.75%) rather than the pulsing square wave typical of cheaper PWM dimming drivers. That's a smooth, near-ripple-free DC output, not a rapidly pulsed signal. Many LED products marketed as flicker-free still have some low-level ripple in their driver output, which can cause banding on camera, headaches, eye strain, or in sensitive individuals, be a genuine trigger. A near-flat driver output like this one means there's effectively nothing there to flicker at any frequency, camera shutter speed or level of sensitivity - which matters most in settings like hospitals, schools and offices where people are under the light for extended periods.

Question 13

Can I control it from my phone, or does it need a wall panel?

Accepted Answer

Both. In addition to app control, the wall panel itself can be hardwired or wirelessly paired to the control driver, and DALI integration is available for larger systems. Wireless control has a maximum range of 50m between the control panel and driver. For hospitals and other secure applications, hardwired control is generally preferred, since a network-connected control layer is a bigger attack surface than a hardwired one.

Question 14

Does it work at night, or only during the day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The night-time twinkling star effect can be set to display just the stars without any light, for a purely decorative look, or you can turn the light on at night the same way you would with any other light.

Question 15

Do I have to have the stars on at night time?

Accepted Answer

No, it depends on your settings and how you're using the product. With the circadian auto-timer on, the stars will automatically appear in the evening if you've purchased a Sollux skylight with the night mode, but you can always switch the effect to clouds at any time using the preset modes.

Question 16

How does the skylight know what type of sunlight to emit during the day?

Accepted Answer

During installation, the geographic location and the current time of day are set on the skylight. For example, if the installation is in Melbourne, the Melbourne location is set, and the sunlight effects then automatically sync with the time of day there.

Question 17

Can I control the speed and quantity of the clouds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The control panel has a cloud-speed adjustment dial, so you can make the clouds move faster or slower.

Question 18

How does the circadian feature work, and what does it do?

Accepted Answer

The light changes automatically every 6 seconds to mimic actual outdoor sunlight as closely as possible, tracking the body's natural daily rhythm of alertness, temperature and hormone changes.

Question 19

What's the difference between dynamic sky, static cloud, and blue sky?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic sky means the clouds move, giving a realistic, changing sky effect. Static cloud means there's a still, non-moving cloud image on the skylight. Blue sky means a plain blue sky effect with no clouds at all. A fourth option, circadian panels, drops the sky graphic entirely and just delivers the tunable, colour-changing light itself.

Question 20

Can I have moving cloud effects with any size Sollux skylight?

Accepted Answer

No. Moving cloud and night-time effects are specific to SOL-1206, SOL-1212, SOL-2406 and SOL-2412. The moving cloud effect works and looks best on the larger skylights, and needs more internal engineering space to achieve properly, so it isn't available on the smaller formats.

Question 21

Do Sollux skylights work with DALI?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all of our SOL skylights are fully DALI compatible.

Question 22

Will they work with standard switching or dimming?

Accepted Answer

No. Because the skylights follow the circadian rhythm, they must be installed using our wall controller, app, or DALI.

Question 23

If I have more than one Sollux skylight installed but they're not side by side, in different areas, can I still display the same sky across them?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Separate Sollux skylights can be linked, including wirelessly, to display the same synced sky even when they're not physically adjacent, using the same group video processor. The same panel and video processor limits apply, so a total sky size beyond that will need additional video processors. Wireless control range is a maximum of 50m from control panel to driver.

Question 24

How much light do Sollux skylights give?

Accepted Answer

Light output changes depending on the size of the Sollux skylight and the sky effect selected. Blue sky and static cloud emit the most light, while dynamic sky still emits a lot of light but somewhat less, because of the moving-cloud effect. This matters most for commercial applications where a specific lux level is required at a given ceiling height.

Question 25

What's the LED lifespan, and are components field replaceable?

Accepted Answer

50,000 hours of operation is the industry-standard lifespan for LED modules. If the fixture ever has any issues during the warranty period - 5 years - we will investigate and solve the problem. Because of the highly specialised nature of the artificial skylights, it does not have readily replaceable components.

Question 26

Is every unit individually tested before shipping?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 100% of units are individually tested for light quality before shipping, rather than batch sampled.

Question 27

Can Sollux Skylights be installed in bathrooms and damp areas?

Accepted Answer

Sollux skylights are made standard with an IP20 rating but are available with an IP54 rating, which is suitable for bathrooms and damp areas. IP65 rating costs an extra 20%, so be sure to let us know if you want IP20 or IP54 when placing the order.

Question 28

How long does it take to install a Sollux skylight?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the Sollux skylight size (a small 600 x 600mm panel in a bathroom is much easier to install than a 2400 x 1200mm skylight in a 10-metre-high void), the existing ceiling type (suspended ceiling, grid panel ceiling, or concrete), accessibility (ceiling height and location), mounting type (surface mount, suspended, or recessed), and the quantity being installed. Based on installations to date, Sollux panels have gone in as quickly as 1 hour, and the longest a large Sollux skylight has taken to install is around 6 hours.

Question 29

What power supply does Sollux require, and what's the operating temperature range?

Accepted Answer

This depends on your country - we will supply you with the correct power supply to suit your country's AC voltage requirements, falling between 90 to 277V AC. Operating range is -20°C to 40°C.

Question 30

Can Sollux be installed in unusual temperature environments, such as a walk-in fridge, wine cellar, sauna or steam room?

Accepted Answer

The rated operating range is -20°C to 40°C for indoor use, which covers a walk-in fridge or a cool wine cellar. A sauna or steam room runs hotter and more humid than the rated range, so check with us before specifying Sollux for those environments.

Question 31

Do you supply large round skylights?

Accepted Answer

Because of the weight involved, we can't make a single round skylight too large. For projects wanting a large round artificial skylight, we typically use 4 x SOL-1212 units and have the installer build a false ceiling over the top of the square skylights to create the circular effect.

Question 32

What are the recommended installation heights?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the type of Sollux skylight you're ordering and the desired lux levels - also see "How much light do Sollux skylights give?". Dynamic sky options: between 2.7m and 4m heights achieve the best effects and light output. Static and blue sky: static and blue sky Sollux skylights have been installed in applications as high as 15 metres, so it really depends on the type of project.

Question 33

How much internal ceiling space is required for a recessed installation?

Accepted Answer

An internal clearance of at least 200mm is required to recess any Sollux skylight. The best way to check if you have enough height is to locate an access panel and measure the internal ceiling clearance. If you don't have an access panel, check your building plans (the service plan and RCP will usually show internal ceiling clearance). You can also cut a small hole near the intended installation area and look with a camera for any obstructions, then use a measuring tape or a small piece of wire to get a height measurement. Patching a small hole in a ceiling is much cheaper than ordering a Sollux skylight only to find you can't recess it.

Question 34

Can an existing ceiling fitting be replaced with Sollux using the same opening?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the existing opening matches a standard SOL size, most commonly 1206 or 0606. The old fitting can be removed and Sollux installed in its place, avoiding new ceiling penetration.

Question 35

Can Sollux Skylights only be installed by certified installers?

Accepted Answer

No, Sollux Skylights can be installed by any qualified electrician. However, using a certified Sollux Skylighting installer gets you a more premium installation, since they've completed best-practice training, and this also means you'll receive upgraded warranty terms. If your installer isn't yet certified, have them complete the "become a certified Sollux Skylighting installer" form.

Question 36

Do you supply-only, or do you also supply-and-install?

Accepted Answer

Sollux Skylighting is a supplier of premium artificial skylights, but we'll help you arrange successful installation, either by working with your preferred installers or by referring you to a certified Sollux installer we know and trust.

Question 37

What's the current lead time?

Accepted Answer

Depends on stock. Standard sizes have run 5 to 6 weeks from PO in past projects, and specific in-stock models have shipped in as little as 3 weeks. Exact lead time is confirmed per model and quantity at quote stage.

Question 38

What warranty applies, and is it different for commercial or institutional installations?

Accepted Answer

Full-service warranty when installed by a certified Sollux installer: 5 years across residential, commercial, trade and institutional installations, including the SOL-P commercial panel range.

Question 39

Is there a minimum order quantity?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no minimum order quantity - if you just need one piece, you can order that.

Question 40

Does the price decrease with quantity?

Accepted Answer

Yes, orders above 10 pieces receive a discount.

Question 41

Can we order online?

Accepted Answer

We are in the process of adding an online order facility to our website and aim to have this operational by the end of September 2026. It will include a client login portal for live order tracking and be available in 200 countries across 20 currencies.

Question 42

What is the process to finalise an order?

Accepted Answer

Once you have finalised your project requirements with the help of our expert team and the quotation has been approved, we will send you an invoice. You can either pay a 50% deposit with the balance due before we ship to you, or pay the invoice in full upfront and receive a 1% discount.

Question 43

Do you supply direct to the end user or only through wholesalers?

Accepted Answer

We supply direct, but we find the best outcomes and overall customer experience are achieved when we supply to industry professionals like electrical installers, skylight installers, builders, property managers, project managers or wholesalers. This way we know all the correct questions have been asked before ordering, to ensure the best outcome possible.

Question 44

Do you accept credit card payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we accept payment via credit card and AMEX.

Question 45

What countries do you supply to?

Accepted Answer

We supply globally, with Sollux Skylights installed across 70+ countries worldwide, including Europe, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, and South East and East Asia.

Question 46

Where are Sollux skylights made?

Accepted Answer

Just like Apple, Sollux skylights are manufactured in China. The factory focuses exclusively on Sollux development and manufacturing, with quality control as the top priority. Because our factory focuses only on Sollux products, we can cater to smaller orders, deliver faster, provide consistent quality control, and offer custom solutions. Quality control videos from the factory (photometric testing, vibration testing, and age and temperature testing) are available on request.

Question 47

Can you customise Sollux Skylights?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can work with you to design and manufacture custom shapes and functionalities. Depending on the request, we may need to charge customisation fees, and there may be minimum order requirements.

Everything about Sollux, answered.

Sollux vs real skylights

Light, health & comfort

Control & operation

Performance & output

Specification & installation

Ordering, warranty & supply

Bring the outside, inside.