Solar Chimes

Listen to the sun's movement

Solar Chimes ring when there's a "gust" of sunlight. Each ring is different, expressing something about the character of the sun's movement at that time. Part of the ongoing research project "Sensing Solar" at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, these chimes will live at the Fashion Tech Farm for six months where colleagues will work and explore together what it means to hear the sun's movement throughout the days and weeks.

A key question here is how to design the language of the chimes so that listeners, over time, will understand what each sound intends to communicate without them becoming annoying or fading entirely into the background. Dutch Design Week marks the first week Solar Chimes are deployed at the Fashion Tech Farm, where its creators can begin tweaking and changing the sound expressions to search for this balance.

How it works

Solar Chimes use a Raspberry Pi 4, light sensor, and small speaker. The sensor (located at the back against the window) tracks the amount of LUX outside and reacts to rapid rises or dips in light levels.

Bigger Questions

Solar Chimes are part of a broader research project, 'Sensing Solar', that explores how design can help reshape our relationship with solar energy. As energy largely remains abstract—hidden in cables, apps and euros—it is difficult for people to engage consciously with their energy use. This is especially challenging now that citizens are being asked to use less energy, while also using it more intelligently. Solar Chimes react to this by engaging the senses with solar energy. What might that mean?

'Sensing Solar' is funded by Regieorgaan SIA - KIEM MV

We thank Adam Driggers and Jef Rouschop for their help and expertise on building this first version of Solar Chimes.