Whether you’re harvesting rainwater for garden use, household chores or drinking water, keeping it clean is essential. One of the biggest challenges tank owners face? Algae growth driven by sunlight entering the tank, especially in warmer months. That’s where a Solar Shield comes in.

What Is the Solar Shield?
The Solar Shield is a purpose-built accessory designed to sit under your tank’s inlet screen and block sunlight from entering your rainwater tank. Traditional screen covers work well but makes plumbing your downpipes more difficult and cleaning leaves out of your screen a hassle.

With a simple installation under the tank screen, these shields don’t obstruct your rainwater inlet or piping but add a big benefit to water quality, by stopping the majority of the sun entering the tank with no restriction in water flow. 

Why Sunlight Matters (and Why You Care)

Sunlight is one of the key ingredient algae needs to thrive. When sunlight reaches the water inside a tank, it can trigger algae growth, turning clear rainwater green and slimy and potentially affecting taste, smell and overall usability. That’s because Algae are photosynthetic microorganisms that use light as their energy source, and the more light in the tank, the more the algae can grow potentially clog pumps, outlets and increase maintenance.

How the Solar Shield Helps

Blocks Sunlight
The Solar Shield’s main design action is to shade the interior of your rainwater tank’s inlet area. By preventing direct sunlight penetration, you reduce the energy source algae need to multiply. This means cleaner water sitting in your tank for longer. 

Reduces Algae Growth
With less light entering the tank, algae are less likely to grow so you’re less likely to end up with that unpleasant green tint and biofilm inside the tank. 

Available for our Full Range of Tanks
Available in sizes 500mm to 300mm that match perfectly with the inlet screens we use on our full range of tanks, from 25,000L to 1,000L.

Calms Water Entry
The Solar Shield design isn’t only about light control, it also helps distribute incoming rainwater more evenly, reducing turbulence and minimizing the re-suspension of sediments at the bottom of your tank. Cleaner inflow means better quality water and less material floating around to feed algae later. 

In Summary…
If you’re serious about maintaining the quality of your rainwater and reducing algae problems, adding a Solar Shield is one of the simplest and most cost-effective accessories you can install. It protects water quality, works passively 24/7, and integrates seamlessly with your existing tank screen setup.