Renewable energy has been gaining attention from individuals to government agencies as the negative effects of fossil fuel usage has been realized. Solar power is a reliable and green alternative to fossil fuels. Solar power is harnessed through the direct absorption of rays from the sun. In this experiment, a passive sun-tracking system using a shape memory alloy (SMA), gears, and a fresnel lens rotated a solar panel to face the sun throughout the day. At the end of the day the system rotates the solar panel back to the east in preparation for the next day’s cycle to begin. This system relies on zero external electricity, making it cost effective and suitable for remote locations where electricity is not easily obtained. The rotation mechanism for the system starts with the shape memory alloy being heated by the sun, which causes it to contract, pulling the sprag gear and turning the solar panel to face the sun. In order to turn the solar panel back to the east at the end of the day, a plastic arm that has elevated toward the reset system trigger will push the trigger over allowing the gears and panel to return to their initial positions. The focus for the project this summer was to optimize the reset system, optimize the Fresnel lens placement, and complete testing
