When you’re testing out solar placements, temporary setups are a great proof of concept. For a while, I had a couple of Jackery solar panels mounted directly to my garden fence. They did the job, but they weren’t a permanent solution—visually or structurally.
This weekend, I decided to fix that. I moved the panels off the fence and integrated them into a brand-new, dual-purpose project: a custom-built door canopy over the garage side door.
Now, we have shelter from the British weather when unlocking the door, and a much sleeker, more discreet solar mounting system that requires zero upkeep.
Here is how I did it for just £20.
The Goal: Stealth and Structure
While I love the performance of Jackery gear, the signature bright orange branding isn’t exactly subtle when it’s facing your garden. Since the goal of this project was to make the setup blend into the background, I started with a bit of visual camouflage.
Instead of building a heavy, solid roof and mounting panels on top of it, I wanted a minimalist look where the panels arethe canopy.
- De-branding: I covered up the bright orange Jackery logos and highlights on the panels. Now, they look like premium, dark tinted glazing.
- Matching the Door: I constructed a slimline wooden support frame and painted it entirely black. Because the garage side door is also black, the frame completely anchors the canopy visually, making it look like a deliberate, modern architectural feature rather than a DIY afterthought.
The Clean Installation
One of the biggest upgrades from the old fence setup is the wiring. Instead of running cables externally where they are exposed to the elements, I drilled a neat pass-through straight through the brick wall into the garage.
The solar lines feed directly inside, completely hidden from view. From there, they reconnect straight into the dedicated Garage Jackery—the power station that keeps the entire garage running off the grid.
The Cost Breakdown
This is the best part. Because I already owned the panels, the power station, and the paint, the out-of-pocket expense for this upgrade was incredibly low.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Timber (Frame & Supports) | £20.00 |
| Screws & Wall Plugs | Included above |
| Jackery Solar Panels & Power Station | Already Owned |
| Black Exterior Paint & Hardware | Already Owned |
| Total Project Spend | £20.00 |
The Verdict
For a single afternoon of DIY and a crisp twenty-pound note, the garage side door is now fully sheltered, the panels are generating clean energy from an optimized height, and the whole setup is completely stealthy. No more orange branding clashing with the garden layout, no messy wires, and absolutely no maintenance required.
Have you modified your portable solar gear for a permanent home installation? Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments below!