Solar tracking apparatuses including one or more solar panels, systems including the same, and methods of using the same

A method of operating a solar tracking apparatus, the method comprising:

• at a controller, receiving one or more characteristics sensed by one or more sensors, the one or more sensors configured to track at least one of a position or movement of at least one solar panel portion relative to at least one of a structure attachment portion or a structure, the one or more sensors including at least one of an accelerometer, a tilt meter, a gyroscopic sensor, a capacitive displacement sensor, an inclinometer, or an optical sensor, wherein the structure attachment portion is distinct from the structure and the at least one solar panel portion;
• transmitting direction from the controller to one or more actuators;
• responsive to receiving the direction from the controller, moving the at least one solar panel portion in at least two directions relative to at least one generally horizontal beam structure with the one or more actuators coupled to the controller so one or more solar panels coupled to the at least one solar panel portion face the sun with interaction from an individual including at most at least one of turning on the solar tracking apparatus or input to start moving the at least one solar panel portion so the one or more solar panels face the sun, wherein the one or more actuators are distinct from the structure attachment portion;
• wherein:
• the structure includes a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is spaced apart from a ground and includes at least one of a weight bearing frame or structural frame;
• the structure attachment portion includes a plurality of generally horizontal supports extending along opposing sides of the structure and a plurality of generally vertical supports extending from the plurality of horizontal supports towards the bottom surface of the structure, the structure attachment portion at least partially enclosing the structure on at least two opposing sides;
• a plurality of mounts are directly disposed at least proximate to an end of the plurality of vertical supports and fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the structure
• the at least one generally horizontal beam structure is fixedly coupled to and extends between the plurality of generally horizontal supports;
• and
• the least one solar panel portion is attached to the at least one generally horizontal beam structure and configured to hold one or more solar panels above the top surface of the structure such that the structure attachment portion substantially fully supports the weight of the one or more solar panels above the structure.