Dual axis solar tracker apparatus and method

A dual axis solar tracker apparatus, comprising:

• a rectangular panel frame adapted for attachment of a solar panel thereto;
• a panel seat, the panel seat being a U-shaped frame having a pair of upright legs and a connecting leg with extended length therebetween, the panel seat having two pins extending therefrom, the panel frame being pivotally attached to the two pins on the panel seat to allow an azimuth of the panel frame to be varied;
• an azimuth actuator, the azimuth actuator being a linear actuator having a non-extensible proximal end and an extensible distal end, the azimuth actuator being pivotally connected to one of the upright legs of the panel seat at the non-extensible proximal end and pivotally connected to the panel frame at the extensible distal end;
• a support structure, the support structure having a first angled frame member and a second angled frame member, the support structure having at least one crossbar connecting the first angled frame member to the second angled frame member, the support structure having an elevation actuator support pin and an elevation tracking pivot, wherein the support pin and tracking pivot are spaced apart from each other, the panel seat being pivotally connected directly to the support structure at the elevation tracking pivot to allow the elevation of the panel seat to be varied;
• an elevation actuator, the elevation actuator being a linear actuator having a non-extensible proximal end and an extensible distal end, the elevation actuator being pivotally connected directly to the support structure at the elevation actuator support pin and at the non-extensible proximal end and pivotally connected to the connecting leg of the panel seat at the extensible distal end;
• an actuator control circuit, the actuator control circuit being electrically coupled to the azimuth actuator and to the elevation actuator to control activation of the azimuth actuator and the elevation actuator;
• and
• a microcontroller, the microcontroller being configured for calculating the current position of the sun using data representing longitude, latitude, date and time associated with location of the dual axis solar tracker apparatus, the microcontroller being electrically coupled to the actuator control circuit to control activation of the actuator control circuit and indirectly controlling activation of the azimuth actuator and elevation actuator to position the solar panel for maximum exposure to the sun.