Solar Enhanced Compost System

Hi everyone,

I'm building a new compost system as I've outgrown my traditional pile-it-up and mix methods due to space considerations and pest pressure.

My design is an approximately 13' wide back wall supported by lolly columns about 5' high, divided into 2 sections approx. 6.5' wide x 5.5' deep. The outside of the wooden frame will get wrapped on the lower 2' with poultry fencing to keep out the abundant rats in my wooded area. I've planned it out for this size to utilize some hand-me-down sunroof panels (bubble-shaped glass domes) that I'm going to attach to hinges and use as a "lid" to help keep heat and moisture in, as well as trap some solar energy to increase decomposition speed.

I generally cold-compost, save for when I do a big weeding overhaul in the gardens and do a lasagna pile of woodchips, oak leaves, and weeds with sprinkles of compost throughout. Those piles get build separately right next to where I build/need them in 4' wire fencing that I tied back to itself in a circle. I'm just curious if anyone has information or insight on "solarizing" their compost piles? I'm building 1/2" spacing into the sides and front of the enclosure so it will remain breathable, and not really sealing off the glass domes save for a wooden ledger inside to help prevent it from being tossed around in the wind, so I'm not too concerned about going anaerobic but maybe someone thinks I've overlooked details? If anyone's interested, I'll share pictures and progress as I tackle this in the next few days.

Thanks everyone!

I am not doing composting.  But just load up a 33 gallon metal garbage can.  Drill drainage holes in bottom.  Pop on lid and park in sun.  Works great in summer.

For anyone following, here’s the progress so far!

Attaching a few pictures with descriptions. Next steps are adding the glass dome lids and hinges, then constructing doors.

glass or plexiglass?

Michael Moreken wrote:glass or plexiglass?

I believe the domes are plexiglass actually. I misspoke!

that looks real solid. I'm guessing that the greenhouse effect inside the bin will speed up composting. let us know how the anti rodent measures work out. those critters seem to be able to squeeze into the smallest spaces top get where they want to go.
ive found the best natural control measures to be cats and 5 gallon bucket 1/4 filled with water with  peanut butter smeared dowel put through the top edges and a ramp to help the little vermin get to the dowel. when they crawl out on the dowel to get the yummy smelling schmear they drop in the bucket and drown.

Those are some nice looking compost bays.
Re rats; I've known them access compost by tunnelling in from underneath.  I couldn't tell if your set up considers this.  I have a smaller compost setup and I overcame this by putting down a layer of old bricks at the bottom. The bricks weren't mortared, just close packed.

Rats really are persistent here, keeping chickens and some livestock they’re always present but my open composting setup before was basically a self-service buffet for them! I plan on digging the chicken wire into the ground some around the setup as well. Here’s the progress so far, got the walls finished and domes attached. Next will be the door and the wire wrap!

First bin has been filled over the last month and I have to say I’m super impressed with how much it’s helped get the heat up in the piles. I think the shelter from excess rainfall and cold winter winds in combination with getting more height has been a huge boon.

Now that I’ve played around with mixing technique in the new bins I’m ready to install the doors to hold everything in and keep it tidier. The chickens have been loving a heated sheltered place to hang out and scratch around, but they haven’t gotten the hang of putting the material back in after they scratch it out :D

Here’s how it’s going: