How does the opaque roof work on Renault Rafale and Scenic?

The recent Renault Rafale and Scénic E-Tech are equipped with an innovative panoramic roof that can darken or lighten on demand.

Renault and Saint-Gobain Sekurit. Letting light into the interior and enjoying the sun or, conversely, protecting from it without reducing the brightness of the cabin: the primary function of the opaque glass roof Solarbay is incredibly simple. But it does so with ease and speed.

Simplicity because it can be controlled via a button located on the ceiling light, accessible by the driver and front passenger, or through voice command via Google Assistant. In the latter case, all passengers, including those in the rear seats, can operate the roof’s opacity. Speed is also a key feature, as in just five seconds, this panoramic glass roof, which measures over a meter in length, can fully darken or lighten. It also helps preserve thermal comfort onboard thanks to its multiple layers of glass, which act as thermal insulators.

The Solarbay opaque glass roof of Rafale and Scénic E-Tech electric operates thanks to Saint-Gobain Sekurit’s AmpliSky system, based on PDLC technology (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal). It involves the displacement of molecules between two glass sheets triggered by an electric field, allowing the roof to darken. It saves 6 to 8 kilograms compared to a traditional glass roof with mechanical shading system, and in the absence of a blackout curtain, passengers gain 3 centimeters of headroom.

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