Bas from DD discord pointed me to a mistake. I thought setting the cover to 100% would fully close it but 100% is actually fully open. Oops. The templates are updated and it should work now.
Edit: I fixed another mistake. Inline comments weren’t processed properly by HA so the template didn’t work. It should finally work now…
To create easily multiple automations for all sides of your home I have build a Blueprint.
The Blueprint uses the sensor you have made based on the template code by @langestefan.
You can configure a time-out, minimum percentage change before adjusting the cover and add multiple actions and conditions to it.
---
#version 1.0.5
blueprint:
name: Cover Height
description: "`version 1.0.5` \n
Set cover position based on direct sunlight exposed to window \n\n
Calculations are done internally in the blueprint removing the need to use a sensor to input a value
\n for in depth information on the calculations and variables, check this forum [post](https://community.home-assistant.io/t/automatic-blinds-sunscreen-control-based-on-sun-platform/573818)
\n **Code Owner:** [`@langestefan`](https://community.home-assistant.io/u/langestefan/)
\n **Blueprint by:** [`@basbruss`](https://community.home-assistant.io/u/basbruss/)"
domain: automation
input:
cover_entity:
name: Cover
description: "Cover(s) to change position based on sun. \n only select entities. Devices will not work!"
selector:
target:
entity:
domain: cover
azimuth:
name: Azimuth
description: The azimuth of the window/cover [**?**](https://community-assets.home-assistant.io/original/4X/5/2/7/527029c7c138eb6146aac68d34e92376b4560fb6.png)
default: 180
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 359
mode: slider
step: 1
distance:
name: Distance
description: Distance from the cover to shaded area .
default: 0.5
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 3
mode: slider
step: 0.1
unit_of_measurement: "M"
max_height:
name: Cover Height
description: Max height of the cover in Meters.
default: 2.1
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 4
step: 0.1
unit_of_measurement: "M"
min_height:
name: Minimun Height
description: The minimum height in meters when the blinds are fully open. This will be 0 in most cases.
default: 0
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 4
step: 0.1
unit_of_measurement: "M"
default_height:
name: Default Cover Height
description: The default height of the cover when the sun is not within the range of the window/cover
default: 60
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 100
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "%"
default_template:
name: Default height template
description: Overrules set value in **Default Cover Height**
default: ""
selector:
template:
minimum_position:
name: Minimum position cover
description: The lowest position allowed to change the cover to.
default: 0
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 100
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "%"
degrees:
name: Field of view
description: Amount of degrees relative to the sun' azimuth; (90 degrees equals 180 fov)
default: 90
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 90
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "°"
azimuth_left:
name: "Field of view Left"
description: "**Only change when left and right angles are different**
\n Amount of degrees from left side of the window \n
Only use when left and right angles are not equal"
default: 90
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 90
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "°"
azimuth_right:
name: "Field of view Right"
description: "**Only change when left and right angles are different**
\n Amount of degrees from left side of the window \n
Only use when left and right angles are not equal"
default: 90
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 90
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "°"
max_elevation:
name: Maximum Elevation
description: Maximum angle of elevation
default: 90
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 90
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "°"
min_elevation:
name: Minimum Elevation
description: Minimum angle of elevation
default: 0
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 90
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "°"
change_threshold:
name: Minimun percentage change
description: The minimum percentage change to current position of the cover(s) to change position (to save battery)
default: 0
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 100
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: "%"
time_out:
name: Time-out
description: Minimum time between updates (to save battery)
default: 1
selector:
number:
min: 0
max: 60
mode: slider
step: 1
unit_of_measurement: minutes
condition_mode:
name: Condition mode
description: Set mode of above conditions to AND or OR
default: and
selector:
select:
options:
- label: AND
value: and
- label: OR
value: or
condition:
name: Extra Conditions
description: Extra conditions for the automation
default: []
selector:
action: {}
action:
name: Extra Actions
description: Extra actions to run before intial service
default: []
selector:
action: {}
variables:
cover_entity: !input cover_entity
azimuth: !input azimuth
distance: !input distance
max_height: !input max_height
min_height: !input min_height
default_height: !input default_height
min_position: !input minimum_position
degrees: !input degrees
default_template: !input default_template
azimuth_left: !input azimuth_left
azimuth_right: !input azimuth_right
max_elevation: !input max_elevation
min_elevation: !input min_elevation
cover_height: >
{%- set deg2rad = pi/180 -%}
{# normalize in range [0,1] #}
{%- macro norm(x, min, max) %}
{{ (x - min) / (max - min) }}
{%- endmacro %}
{# convert blind height h to percentage [0,100] #}
{%- macro h2perc(x) %}
{{ 100 * float(norm(x, h_min, h_max)) }}
{%- endmacro %}
{# clip value between [min, max] #}
{%- macro clipv(x, x_min, x_max) %}
{{ max(min(x, x_max), x_min) }}
{%- endmacro %}
{# constants #}
{%- set win_azi = azimuth -%}
{%- set left_azi = azimuth_left | default(90) -%}
{%- set right_azi = azimuth_right | default(90) -%}
{%- set elev_high = deg2rad * (max_elevation | default(90)) -%} {# Maximum: 90 #}
{%- set elev_low = deg2rad * (min_elevation| default(0)) -%} {# Minimum: 0 #}
{%- set d = distance | default(0.5) -%}
{%- set h_max = max_height | default(2.10) -%}
{%- set h_min = min_height | default(0) -%}
{%- set deg = degrees | default(90) -%}
{%- set def = default_height | default(60) -%}
{%- set min_pos = min_position | default(0) -%}
{%- set def_temp = default_template | default('') -%}
{% if def_temp | int(-1) >= 0 %}
{% set def = def_temp %}
{%endif%}
{# FOV #}
{%- if left_azi != right_azi-%}
{%- set azi_left = deg2rad * -left_azi -%} {# Minimum: -90 #}
{%- set azi_right = deg2rad * right_azi -%} {# Maximum: 90 #}
{%-else-%}
{%- set azi_left = deg2rad * -deg -%} {# Minimum: -90 #}
{%- set azi_right = deg2rad * deg -%} {# Maximum: 90 #}
{%-endif-%}
{%- set fov = deg2rad * deg -%}
{# get sun elevation / azimuth from sun.sun #}
{%- set sun_azi = state_attr('sun.sun', 'azimuth') -%}
{%- set sun_ele = state_attr('sun.sun', 'elevation') -%}
{# default height, when automatic control is off. #}
{%- set def_h = def / 100 * h_max -%}
{%- set alpha = deg2rad * sun_ele -%}
{%- set gamma = deg2rad * (win_azi - sun_azi) -%}
{%- set h = (d / cos(gamma)) * tan(alpha) -%}
{# gamma is outside of FOV #}
{%- if gamma < azi_left or gamma > azi_right or alpha < elev_low or alpha > elev_high -%}
{{ clipv(h2perc(def_h) | round(0) | int , 0, 100) }}
{# gamma is inside of FOV #}
{%- else -%}
{{ clipv(h2perc(h) | round(0) | int , min_pos, 100) }}
{%- endif -%}
change_threshold: !input change_threshold
time_out: !input time_out
condition_mode: !input condition_mode
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id:
- sun.sun
condition: !input condition
action:
- choose:
- conditions:
- condition: template
value_template: "{{condition_mode == 'and'}}"
sequence:
- condition: and
conditions:
- condition: template
value_template: >
{%set position = state_attr(cover_entity.entity_id,'current_position')%}
{{ ((position | float - cover_height | float) | abs > change_threshold)
or (cover_height in [default_height, default_template] and position not in [default_height, default_template])}}
- condition: template
value_template: >
{{now() - timedelta(minutes=time_out) >= states[cover_entity.entity_id].last_updated }}
- choose: []
default: !input action
- service: cover.set_cover_position
data:
position: "{{ cover_height | int(0) }}"
target: !input cover_entity
- conditions:
- condition: template
value_template: "{{condition_mode == 'or'}}"
sequence:
- condition: or
conditions:
- condition: template
value_template: >
{%set position = state_attr(cover_entity.entity_id,'current_position')%}
{{ ((position | float - cover_height | float) | abs > change_threshold)
or (cover_height in [default_height, default_template] and position not in [default_height, default_template])}}
- condition: template
value_template: >
{{now() - timedelta(minutes=time_out) >= states[cover_entity.entity_id].last_updated }}
- choose: []
default: !input action
- service: cover.set_cover_position
data:
position: "{{ cover_height | int(0) }}"
target: !input cover_entity
mode: single
Hi mate,
Thanks for the good work.
I started to implement and, even if it works, I am trying to fine tune my templates.
I have some few questions for you:
If I have a sliding window (which is 2.1m high) on my ground floor,
h_min=0
h_max=2.1
If I have a regular window (which would be 1.4m high) at the first floor, then
h_min= 3.5 (the first floor is roughly 2.5m high then the window sits 1m above that)
h_max=3.5+1.4=4.9 ?
Or maybe the height is measured from the sea level?
Thanks a lot!
h_max is the height of the window. h_min you can just put to 0. I also tried to explain it in the post:
My question is, how can I set the minimum position to 15% instead of 0%?
You can change this line:
{{- clipv(h2perc(h) | round(0) | int, 0, 100) -}}
To clip at 15%:
{{- clipv(h2perc(h) | round(0) | int, 15, 100) -}}
Thanks for the reply. Very helpful.
Sorry to be fussy but with that definition of h_min and h_max it means that the 2 same windows with the same azimuth, 1 being at the ground floor and the orther one being at the first or even 2nd floor will have the same result?
I might be wrong but I was expecing them to have a different result
The height does matter slightly, but I cannot find any resource that describes how to take it into account so the effect must be neglible.
I did find this resource: Ask Tom: Do times for sunrise and sunset not take altitude into account?
So sunrise is about 1 minute earlier for every 1500 meters altitude above sea level. So I guess we can neglect it.
Perhaps another way to look at it is that the sun’s rays hit the earth at the same angle no matter what height you are:
Very clear and interesting.
Thanks for taking the time to answer.
So, I am using your template and it’s working beautifuly.
I use the output of the template in Nodered to automate my blinds.
Cheers
I don’t have any blinds to use this for but I’m interested in seeing the numbers. I’m struggling with the window azimuth part though. I don’t understand what part of the compass needs to be where 
Can anyone explain that part for dummies please?
You want to measure the azimuth angle of your window in degrees, clockwise, from north (0°). For example if your window faces exactly south it’s at an azimuth angle of 180°. If it faces exactly east it’s at an angle of 90°, if it faces exactly west 270° etc. So basically align the compass such that it points in exactly the same direction as your window is facing.
I think this is awesome project 
Do you think it will be possible to add this to blueprint? Not sure if it is possible in full scale, but partially at least?
Not entirely sure what you mean? There is a blueprint here above shared by @basbrus. I will also put it in the main post
I Like this Project, more flexible and looks very good.
After testing something goes wrong on my part und i do not understand the reason. My Sensor looks like:
- sensor:
name: Solar blinds height percentage Osten
unique_id: blinds_height_perc_east
unit_of_measurement: '%'
state: >
{% set deg2rad = pi/180 %}
{%- macro norm(x, min, max) %}
{{ (x - min) / (max - min) }}
{%- endmacro %}
{# convert blind height h to percentage [0,100] #}
{%- macro h2perc(x) %}
{{ 100 * float(norm(x, h_min, h_max)) }}
{%- endmacro %}
{%- macro clipv(x, x_min, x_max) %}
{{ max(min(x, x_max), x_min) }}
{%- endmacro %}
{% set win_azi = 108.25 %}
{% set d = 0.5 %}
{% set h_max = 2.15 %}
{% set h_min = 0 %}
{# field of view you want to enable control #}
{# !!! MUST be equal or lower than 90 degrees !!! #}
{# > 90 degrees is behind the window and then calculation is invalid! #}
{% set fov = deg2rad * 60 %}
{# get sun elevation / azimuth from sun.sun #}
{% set sun_azi = state_attr('sun.sun', 'azimuth') %}
{% set sun_ele = state_attr('sun.sun', 'elevation') %}
{% set def_h = 0.6 * h_max %}
{% set alpha = deg2rad * sun_ele %}
{% set gamma = deg2rad * (win_azi - sun_azi) %}
{% set h = (d / cos(gamma)) * tan(alpha) %}
{% if (alpha > 0) and (gamma | abs < fov) %}
{{ clipv(h2perc(h) | round(0) | int , 50, 100) }}
{% else %}
{{ clipv(h2perc(def_h) | round(0) | int , 50, 100) }}
{% endif %}
The calculation itself works but in time where the blinds have to be set to 100% it jumps to 60%
Hopefully someone have an idear whats going wrong
Thanks in Advanced
Did you set the azimuth angle correctly? It jumps to 60% (the standard value def_h = 0.6 * h_max) when either the sun moves behind the window or the sun moves below the horizon. Since it happened
So far as i know its right. What do i have to do to set the default to 100% (full open) after the sun moves around the corner
Yes if your window faces south east then that’s fine. To change the default value you can change this line:
{% set def_h = 0.6 * h_max %}
To:
{% set def_h = h_max %}
This will set the default height to 100% so the window will be fully open.
PS. I think it will be easier for you if you import the blueprint. The import button is at the top of this post
i am still using your blueprint. it is perfect. Many thanks for your work. But i need this sensor for working or i am wrong?
edit: I have put a new blueprint at the top of the page which does not need a template sensor anymore!
You can also find it here: 
Automatic blinds / sunscreen control based on sun platform
i tested it, but i always get a error
and my blueprint code
alias: Sonnenschutz - Wohnzimmer Automatisch
description: ""
use_blueprint:
path: basbruss/cover_height_sun.yaml
input:
cover_entity:
device_id: 55d960f40a449d4e7586a344e92fe3cd
azimuth: 314
max_height: 1.3
default_height: 100
change_threshold: 3
can you perhaps help @langestefan
You will need to use the entity_id instead of the device_id. Entity_id also adds the attributes to the dataset 
you are right, i think now it works, gives a way to disable the automation ?
for example when i want to control the cover manuall ?