Patent ID: 7202457

Claim:
A sun-position tracking system for a solar module, the system comprising: a base; a rotary plate rotatable on the base about an upright plate axis; rotary drive means for rotating the plate on the base about the upright plate axis; a plurality of generally parallel fixed rods fixed to the plate and having outer ends extending outward past the plate; a substantially planar frame pivoted on the outer ends about a generally horizontal frame axis between a down position with the frame lying on and substantially parallel to the plate and an up position extending at an acute angle to the plate, the solar module being carried on the frame and lying in a panel plane above the rods and plate; a sector gear fixed to the frame outside the outer edge of the plate and wholly below the plane; pivot drive means mounted on the outer ends and wholly below the plane and connected to the sector gear for pivoting the frame between its positions; an optical sensor mounted on the frame and responsive to sunlight; and control means connected to the optical sensor and to the rotary and pivot drive means for orienting the frame and the solar module thereon with respect to the sun.