Abstract: A solar energy collector includes a base supporting a modular unit, a flexible mounting pad, and a solar panel turret extending upward from the mounting pad. A water receptacle surrounds the mounting pad. The solar panel turret is generally hemiellipsoidal and is divided into upstanding quadrants inclined away from each other to expose their inner surfaces as well as outer surfaces to light. Both inner and outer surfaces of the turret quadrants are arrayed with solar cells to form a solar panels. The turret is of a convex configuration so that all surfaces are exposed to sunlight when the turret is pointed at the sun. The flexible mounting pad allows the solar panel turret to move through a solid angle in response to the position of the sun to follow the sun. The total surface area of the inner and outer surfaces of the turret is substantially greater than the ground surface area occupied by the device.