Our video goes over this project pretty heavily.

If you want to make your own PCBs up you can just grab the files off our GitHub Repo and order them from a small batch PCB company, such as OSHPark.com. Then you just need to solder a few pin heads, light detecting resistors, and four resistors onto the boards and pop the shield on an Arduino.

Please keep in mind this project is entirely powered by the USB connection to the Arduino. It is NOT self powered.

The same goes for our laser cut files. We use both 1/8th inch and 1/4th inch baltic birch plywood for this project. We'd recommend standing away from Acrylic because of the weight.

In our laser cut file we did include a 1 inch by 1 inch cube. Make sure that cube is in fact 1 inch square, because if it's not it's been slightly changed by your graphic design software. 

We used a small laser cutter to make these parts. I suppose you could use a CNC router for this as well. We have had student groups make this project out of hand cut cardboard or foam board before. They traced out the parts and cut them by hand. If you don't have access to a laser cutter this would be an option.

The code is pretty simple. You can set the X and Y limits for your servos and tweak the sensitivity. It's not too complex overall. 

People often ask us if there is some way to make the servo movement smoother. They're servos so there really isn't any easy way to do that.

Our kit version comes with a 6V 200mA solar cell and an inexpensive LED volt meter. This gives people more data and makes the project a 'real life' example of a tracker. We also included a laser cut volt meter holder for the project.

We're often asked if the project can be modified to use a larger solar panel so people can charge their car or cell phone. No, it can not. We're already pushing the limits of what these servos can do. A bigger project with a bigger panel needs stepper motors and gears.