Projects / Solar Tracker
Solar Tracker
Build a quadrant-LDR, 1–2 axis solar tracker on a laser-cut 3mm birch plywood gimbal: SG90 (or MG90) servos drive pan/tilt toward the brighter sky sector. Optional small PV cell for voltage logging.
$9 Sensing
Digital guide + cut files + BOM + code · Parts sourced separately · Ages 8–14 with adult help
SensingQuadrant LDR (4) + egg-crate shade
Axes1–2 (pan/tilt)
Structure3mm birch gimbal
ActuationSG90/MG90
Build time3–6 hours
Skill levelIntermediate
Pack contents
- Base, pan plate, tilt cradle, LDR shade SVGs
- Gimbal + firmware guide
- First-principles: dual-axis tracking, cosine losses
- Deadband seek firmware with angle clamps
- Verified BOM (~$21–102 hardware)
Typical hardware cost
Default structure is laser-cut birch plywood with real fasteners and hobby electronics you can source—honest BOM, not mystery modules.
- ~$21–102 in typical parts (makerspace cut toward the low end; mail-order toward the high end)
- Digital pack price ≠ hardware
The $9 pack is the digital guide + cut files + BOM + lessons + code, plus printable Builder's Corner build journal pages. Hardware is sourced separately — see Where to get kit materials. Buy with Stripe is live below.
Questions? Email us at lance.haney@gmail.com.
Pricing
- Home / Personal license $9
- Classroom license $35 — 1 teacher, up to 30 studentsOne $35 Classroom license covers one group of up to 30 students. Each additional group needs another license.
- Build materials available at cost + 10% — email for a quote
Learning outcomes
- Build a birch pan/tilt with differential light sensing
- Map brightness error to servo increments with deadband
- Protect servos with software angle clamps
- Optional: log PV voltage vs alignment