Workshop
Ask a question

The Bunnings Workshop community can help with your home improvement projects.

Covering up solar battery

cludelessdiwhye
Getting Established

Covering up solar battery

We have just had a solar battery installed on our property. It is north-facing and visible from the street. We need to protect it from direct sunlight.  The battery needs a clearance of at least 30 cm. Due to its location, the barrier will need to be much higher than the actual battery, because the hot overhead sun will hit the top portion unless the barrier is approximately 260 cm tall.  Putting in a roof shade won't protect it due to the location where it would have to be put/the angle of the summer sun.  Ideally, the protection will be 105 cm wide, but 260 cm tall.

 

I had three ideas (but would welcome others).

1. Set up a wire system using steel wire (https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-3-2mm-x-30m-marine-grade-stainless-steel-wire-rope_p4310785) so that it goes up and over the entire battery setup, then grow a climber over it to provide shade.  My concern with this is that the wires will be exposed to the rain (i.e., they won't be under cover) and so I don't know if they will rust.

 

2. Put up a large aluminium louvre screen (e.g., https://www.bunnings.com.au/protectoral-900-x-1750mm-black-easy-screen-welded-slat-panel_p1142595).  My concern with this option is that it needs to be larger than this (so I don't know how to get one that is the right size), and am a bit concerned about how to support such a tall screen so that it does not fall over.

 

3. Plant some trees/tall shrubs across the front: the issue with this is that the location is probably part shade (which can make it hard for dense, fast growth). Also some of the tree(s) would have to be planted under the eaves, and due to their needing to essentially extend up to the eaves I would be concerned about the height (i.e., if I get something that grows 3 m tall then potentially it would grow into the eave).

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated, here is a photo of the spot (ignore the black bar in the picture- I am just using this to drape shade cloth in as an interim measure):unnamed (1).jpg

 

 

AlanM52
Amassing an Audience

Re: Covering up solar battery

Hi @cludelessdiwhye,

 

Battery shade2.jpg

 

Screenshot 2026-01-25 101422.jpg  Screenshot 2026-01-25 103725.jpg

 

Mounted on a frame, come back for more details.

 

Cheers

 

Re: Covering up solar battery

Thank you kindly for the suggestion.  I am not sure how this would work, as the location for the barrier has to be a fair way out from the eaves (so it could not be attached there), and also there are 30 cm clearances to the side of the unit (so I am uncertain how the frame would affix to the house).

 

How robust is tunnelcore (in terms of being fully exposed to the elements)?

Re: Covering up solar battery

OK... I estimated the distance from the eave to the wall is about the same as the bottom of the shade cover back to the wall.

Can we please have photos from the side.

Your astute question about tunnelcore is a good one.

The product is regarded as a short term solution and not recommended for larger outdoor projects.

However, in your case I am confident you are good to use that:

The area is well generally protected including strong winds.

Limited period of sun exposure.

Easy & light to remove if access is needed to the solar stuff.

(Need to discuss how it's installed)

Low cost & easy to replace the tunnelcore sheet.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

Why join the Bunnings Workshop community?

Workshop is a friendly place to learn, get ideas and find inspiration for your home improvement projects