i need to find window shades (solar shades/blinds or similar type)
that start at the bottom of the window and go up (unlike traditional
window shades start at the top and you pull them down).

Hello Rejus1,


   The type of shade you are seeking is called ?top down bottom up?
shades. There may be other names used by certain manufacturers. In
fact, although they may not say so, many on-line blind merchants have
the top down-bottom up shades? you just need to inquire. Often, by
selecting a shade you like, you will be presented with a page that
asks for your closing preferences, inside mount, right to left, top to
bottom, etc.
Here are six sites that definitely have top down-bottom up shades.


Roman Type Shades
http://www.shadesshuttersblinds.com/RomanShadesFlatTDBU.asp


Cellular Shades
http://www.shadesshuttersblinds.com/ValueCellTDBU.asp


Hunter Douglas, multiple styles
http://www.hunterdouglas.com/product_options_template.jsp?id=36


JC Penney
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=0&CatID=028593&Grptyp=SIZ&ItemId=0e06b34


Other types
http://www.cellularwindowshades.com/symphony_light_filtering.html


Best Blinds
http://www.bestblinds.com/blinds_category/blackout_cellular_shades_category.php

You could even make your own!
http://terrelldesigns.com/howto-maketdbu.htm


Hope this helps you out! 
Sincerely, Crabcakes

Search Terms
============
Top down + bottom up + shades

Can't you just mount them upside down?

lol!
I'm ashamed to say I had to think for a minute '..CAN'T you just mount
them upside down?!'

No, the mechanism does not work that way. Most of this type of shade
can open from the bottom, OR the top. You could even have a "stripe"
of shade in the middle!