An installation for using slats of adjustable inclination to cover and uncover a surface defined by a carrier structure, the installation comprising: • a series of adjustable slats comprising odd-numbered slats including at least one "head" slat and even-numbered slats interposed between the odd-numbered slats, the adjustable slats extending parallel to one another via their longitudinal edges and each being fitted at its end edges with respective pivot pins; • each slat is supported via its pivot pins by a set comprising a first carriage (10 1) and a second carriage (10 2), each guided to move in translation along a respective guide track; • two guide tracks for guiding movement of the carriages in translation, the tracks being provided on the carrier structure and being arranged in parallel with each other along two opposite sides of the surface; • an adjustment system for adjusting the inclination of the slats and adapted to cause at least some of the slats to pivot so that the longitudinal edges of the slats touch or do not touch respectively so as to close or to open the corresponding surface; • a movement system for moving the slats between a stowed position in which the slats touch one another and a deployed position in which at least some of the slats, including at least one head slat, are deployed in register with the surface; • position sensors of the slats; • and a control device connected to the sensors, to the movement system, and to the adjustment system, in order to move at least some of the slats in translation and to adjust the inclination of said slats that have been moved in translation where the movement system comprises for each even-numbered slat that is present, firstly a retractable coupling fastened between the first carriage of said slat and the first carriage belonging to the head slat or to the neighboring slat of lower number, and secondly a drive system for driving the second carriage of said slat in translation; and for each odd-numbered slat that is present, a retractable coupling fastened between the second carriage (10 2) of said slat and the second carriage (10 2) belonging to the neighboring slat of lower number, and a drive system for driving the first carriage of said slat in translation; the installation being characterized in that the movement system comprises for each head slat, movement motors on board the first and second carriages, in that the installation comprises movement sensors for detecting the movements of the slats, and in that the movement motors on board the carriages are connected to transformation mechanisms for transforming rotary motion into movement of the slats in translation along a direction parallel to the guide track. • a series of adjustable slats comprising odd-numbered slats including at least one "head" slat and even-numbered slats interposed between the odd-numbered slats, the adjustable slats extending parallel to one another via their longitudinal edges and each being fitted at its end edges with respective pivot pins; • each slat is supported via its pivot pins by a set comprising a first carriage (10 1) and a second carriage (10 2), each guided to move in translation along a respective guide track; • two guide tracks for guiding movement of the carriages in translation, the tracks being provided on the carrier structure and being arranged in parallel with each other along two opposite sides of the surface; • an adjustment system for adjusting the inclination of the slats and adapted to cause at least some of the slats to pivot so that the longitudinal edges of the slats touch or do not touch respectively so as to close or to open the corresponding surface; • a movement system for moving the slats between a stowed position in which the slats touch one another and a deployed position in which at least some of the slats, including at least one head slat, are deployed in register with the surface; • position sensors of the slats; • and a control device connected to the sensors, to the movement system, and to the adjustment system, in order to move at least some of the slats in translation and to adjust the inclination of said slats that have been moved in translation where the movement system comprises for each even-numbered slat that is present, firstly a retractable coupling fastened between the first carriage of said slat and the first carriage belonging to the head slat or to the neighboring slat of lower number, and secondly a drive system for driving the second carriage of said slat in translation; and for each odd-numbered slat that is present, a retractable coupling fastened between the second carriage (10 2) of said slat and the second carriage (10 2) belonging to the neighboring slat of lower number, and a drive system for driving the first carriage of said slat in translation; the installation being characterized in that the movement system comprises for each head slat, movement motors on board the first and second carriages, in that the installation comprises movement sensors for detecting the movements of the slats, and in that the movement motors on board the carriages are connected to transformation mechanisms for transforming rotary motion into movement of the slats in translation along a direction parallel to the guide track.