The invention relates to a unit for covering and uncovering a surface using adjustable slats (3), comprising: for each slat (3), a set of two carriages (101, 102) guided in translation along guide tracks (8); a system (II) for moving the slats (3), comprising two movement motors (12) for each carriage pair (101, 102) equipping a slat, each motor being mounted in a different carriage; a system (I) for orientating the slats (3), comprising at least one orientation motor (14) for each carriage pair equipping a slat, said at least one motor being mounted in at least one of the carriages; and a control device for moving at least part of the slats in translation and orientating said slats.