Abstract: An apparatus for use in a solar energy facility including a plurality of photovoltaic systems distributed over a local area and a plurality of tracking systems that operate to control orientation of corresponding photovoltaic systems. Each tracking system includes a tracking control unit that employs a wireless network interface for wireless communication over the local area. The apparatus includes a wireless network interface for wireless communication over the local area, a plurality of sensors including a GPS receiver module and an anemometer, a microcontroller operably coupled to the wireless network interface and to the plurality of sensors, a power supply unit (including means for storage of electrical energy) for supplying DC power signals to the apparatus, and at least one photovoltaic cell for converting solar insolation into DC power supply signals that are supplied to the electrical energy storage means of the power supply unit.