Abstract: A solar energy system includes a support member secured to a substantially fixed location; a solar energy member mounted to the support member and including a surface operable to track in response to movement of the Sun; an actuator assembly coupled to the solar energy member and configured to periodically apply a torque at a first frequency to move the solar energy member in response to movement of the Sun; and a damper assembly including a spool, where the damper assembly is configured to reactively release and retract a cable about the spool in response to changes in the steady state load, and maintain the cable at a substantially fixed length released from the spool in response to a torque at a second frequency greater than the first frequency that is intermittently received by the solar energy member.