March 20, 2026 – Rueil-Malmaison, France – Schneider Expands Energy-Harvesting Portfolio
Schneider Electric has announced the SpaceLogic Wireless Energy-Harvesting PIR Sensor, a battery-free occupancy sensor powered entirely by indoor ambient light. The sensor is designed for commercial building automation, eliminating battery replacement costs and maintenance.
The sensor uses a small photovoltaic panel to harvest energy from indoor lighting, storing power in a supercapacitor for operation in darkness. It is the first PIR sensor in Schneider’s SpaceLogic lineup to offer energy harvesting as the primary power source.
Technical Specifications
- Power source: Indoor photovoltaic (50 lux minimum, typical office lighting)
- Energy storage: Gold capacitor (supercapacitor) – 5 days autonomy in darkness
- Wireless protocol: EnOcean (868 MHz for Europe, 902 MHz for Americas)
- Range: Up to 30 meters indoors
- Detection range: 8 meters with 110° field of view
- Mounting: Wall or ceiling mount
- IP rating: IP20 (indoor use)
- Dimensions: 70mm × 70mm × 25mm
- Lifetime: 20+ years (no batteries to replace)
How It Works
The sensor operates on an extremely tight energy budget:
- Photovoltaic panel charges supercapacitor under normal indoor lighting
- Supercapacitor provides power for PIR monitoring and wireless transmission
- When motion is detected, stored energy powers the radio to transmit occupancy status
- Supercapacitor recharges within minutes under normal lighting
The sensor can operate for up to 5 days in complete darkness, making it suitable for weekend and holiday periods in commercial buildings.
Integration with Building Management Systems
The SpaceLogic sensor integrates with Schneider’s EcoStruxure building management platform via EnOcean gateways. Key integrations include:
- Lighting control: Direct control of compatible DALI and 0-10V lighting controllers
- HVAC integration: Occupancy-based temperature setback
- Space utilization analytics: Occupancy data for space optimization
- Security integration: Occupancy status for access control and after-hours monitoring
Energy Savings Benefits
Schneider claims the energy-harvesting sensor offers significant advantages over battery-powered alternatives:
- Eliminates battery replacement: Typical commercial building has 500-1,000 sensors; battery replacement costs $20-50 per sensor annually
- Reduces waste: Eliminates thousands of disposable batteries over building lifetime
- Prevents maintenance disruptions: No service calls for dead batteries
- Improves reliability: No risk of sensors going offline due to battery failure
Target Applications
- Office buildings: Occupancy-based lighting and HVAC control
- Educational facilities: Classroom occupancy sensing for lighting and scheduling
- Healthcare: Patient room occupancy for lighting and energy management
- Retail: Customer presence for lighting and HVAC zoning
- Hotels: Guest room energy management
Installation Benefits
The battery-free design simplifies installation:
- No electrical wiring required (wireless communication)
- No battery replacement schedule to maintain
- Can be mounted with adhesive or screws
- Ideal for retrofit applications where running wires is impractical
- Reduces installation time by 50-70% compared to wired sensors
Pricing and Availability
The SpaceLogic Energy-Harvesting PIR Sensor is available now for order, with shipments beginning June 2026. Pricing:
- Single unit: $89
- 10-pack: $79 per unit
- 100-pack: $69 per unit
EnOcean gateways start at $299. Volume discounts are available for large projects.
Industry Reaction
“Energy harvesting is the logical next step for building sensors,” said a facilities management executive. “The upfront cost is higher, but when you factor in the labor cost of changing thousands of batteries every few years, the ROI is compelling. We’re specifying these for all new construction.”
Competitors are expected to respond with their own energy-harvesting sensor lines. Siemens and Johnson Controls have announced similar products in development.
Conclusion
Schneider Electric’s energy-harvesting PIR sensor represents a significant advancement in building automation. By eliminating batteries, it addresses the largest ongoing cost of wireless sensor networks and simplifies deployment in retrofit applications.