Abstract: It is proposed that the utilization period of the awning be increased in connection with automatic or manual manual control means in that the awning is preferably incrementally retracted as a function of the magnitude of the wind velocity, as determined through measurement, with the wind velocity being determined in corresponding graduations, and, as a function thereof, in that the control unit for the awning drive motor moves the awning to intermediate awning positions which have priority over all other control influences. In addition to the limit switches, which are present anyway and which indicate the "fully retracted" or "fully extended" positions, a plurality of intermediate sensors, corresponding to the number of desired increments, are disposed to determine the intermediate positions, with the signals output by the intermediate sensors, which indicate the actual position of the awning being compared with wind-velocity-determined awning setpoint position signals.