Mechanical solar tracker for energy and shade

A mechanical solar tracker, comprising:

• a positioning cam comprising one or more paths, the one or more paths being configured as a function of a latitude location of the mechanical solar tracker;
• a sleeve coupled to an adjustment arm, the adjustment arm operable to rotate the sleeve about a vertical axis;
• a cam follower coupled to the sleeve, the cam follower configured to translate a selected path of the one or more paths as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, at least one of the cam follower and positioning cam being positioned vertically above the sleeve;
• and
• a collector coupled to the cam follower;
• wherein the selected path is configured such that as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, the cam follower optimizes the amount of solar energy collected by the collector by tracing the selected path as the sun moves across the sky over a period of time.

A mechanical solar tracker, comprising:

• a positioning cam comprising one or more paths, the one or more paths being configured as a function of a latitude location of the mechanical solar tracker;
• a sleeve coupled to an adjustment arm, the adjustment arm operable to rotate the sleeve about a vertical axis;
• a cam follower coupled to the sleeve, the cam follower configured to translate a selected path of the one or more paths as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, the cam follower extending vertically upward relative to the sleeve;
• and
• a collector coupled to the cam follower;
• wherein the selected path is configured such that as the sleeve rotates about the vertical axis, the cam follower optimizes the amount of solar energy collected by the collector by tracing the selected path as the sun moves across the sky over a period of time.