The solar tracking mechanism is utilized in connection with a solar energy collection system. The collection system includes a light reflective shell shaped to focus solar radiation on a radiation absorbing segment of a tube which carries a heat transfer fluid. The shell is pivotally mounted on a support frame. An actuator mounted between the support frame and the shell rotatably the shell. A solar sensor is mounted deep within a sighting tube which is fixed to the shell such that a line of sight through the sighting tube is at least parallel to the optical axis of the shell. The solar sensor generates a sensor signal which is used as a control input to an actuator control system. End limit switches generate a limit stop signals when the shell reaches maximum angular positions. The actuator control system generates fluid flows to the actuator based the solar sensor signal and the limit stop signals. The method of tracking the sun includes providing a solar cell array, activating the solar collection system when solar radiation illuminating the array exceeds a predetermined threshold, providing a solar sensor shielded from the solar radiation except for direct, aligned radiation, pivotally rotating the shell westward based upon the solar sensor signal, stopping the shell at a maximum angular positions, and rotating the shell westward if the shell does not reach the maximum westward angular orientation during a predetermined daylight time period. The solar energy collection system may be further configured to include a bisected shell, which are hinged together. The shell halves can be collapsed onto each other thereby protecting the light reflective surface and the radiation absorbing segment of the tube carrying heat transfer fluid.