This project is a self tracking solar panel that uses no microcontrollers or programming. Rather, it uses small solar panels on top to track the sun. Each set of panels can run a motor 2 directions...for example, on the "up/down" panels, one panel makes the motor turn the big panel up, the other makes it turn it down. The two little panels "fight" over control of the motor...the one getting the most sun "wins" until they are both making about the same amount of power...at which point the motor stands still. Same thing for the "left/right" motion, though there is an extra panel to trigger a reset from West to East in the morning. Once facing the sun, you can literally put your hand over a panel to shade it and the whole setup will move.

Now, as cool as this design is, I can't take credit for it. I'm posting this for a dear friend, Dale, who is a retired inventor...though as busy as he is creating things, "retired" just means he doesn't do it for money now. He and I worked together to design and test multiple versions of this. He designed and built, I'd test, give feedback, and he'd adjust. Over and over with probably 15 versions. His goal was to create something that he could provide for the community. He and I have both run these tracking systems ourselves for a couple years now...me while camping with my family and him by providing power in his backyard to an indoor power bank. Dale is one of the most generous people I have met and I'm honored to help him publish this.

The question I get asked most is, "why don't you patent this/market this/sell this/etc.?". Fact is, all of that takes a lot of work and money and Dale just doesn't want to. He'd rather have people enjoy it. He owns many patents but it takes money to defend those patents. He's had ideas "stolen" despite patents, he's had ideas stolen without patents, he's marketed items, he's manufactured items...and while we approached some non-profits about this, eventually Dale decided he just wanted it published and asked me to help him do that. So here we are. If you want to license it and sell it, I can put you in touch, but this part will remain open source.

This project is not for the faint of heart. It's not a beginner project, but it's not super complex either. It takes knowing how to work with aluminum a bit, drill holes in metal, and do a little soldering. There are a lot of parts to print, and you can print them in PLA for fun or ABS for endurance. There are fragile pieces, but the beauty is you can reprint them if they break. We also may have messed up the instructions in places. Sorry. Hopefully there's enough pictures and details to help you through. We've also made trackers from 50 watt panels to 200 watt panels, flexible panels in a frame to rigid. 100w rigid panel seems to be the sweet spot. Our RV usually has batteries back to full by mid-day or earlier with this.

There is a PDF included with all the instructions, hardware list, print list, etc. Chances are we won't really be making updates, so you're on your own if you want to change it. Will try to provide some support through comments, but this project is best for tinkerers who want to figure things out.

Here's a video here showing the tracker resetting itself: https://youtu.be/JyLP45g5EBQ

Here's a timelapse of multiple trackers resetting as the sun comes up. Notice that one is still in the shade and doesn't reset: https://youtu.be/DiY2ZC360Uw

Tips not expected, though if you happen to tip, it all will go straight to Dale to finance his hobby projects.