Patent attributes
A system and method are provided for continuously reorienting a solar panel array while maintaining a substantially stationary footprint for the solar panel. A cylindrically shaped knuckle is provided that is formed with a bottom surface and a top surface that is slanted relative to the bottom surface at a slant angle φ. One end of an upper pole is positioned against the top surface of the knuckle, and one end of a lower pole is positioned against the bottom surface of the knuckle. An upper and lower motor respectively connect the knuckle to the upper pole and the lower pole. These motors are used to continuously rotate the knuckle at an angular velocity ω relative to the upper and lower poles. When the knuckle rotates, the upper and lower poles remain stationary to allow the solar panel to continuously reorient while maintaining a substantially stationary footprint.