An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system may include motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun. An alignment analysis procedure, e.g., a find sun routine, is performed to ensure that the solar cell system is properly aligned with the sun during solar tracking. This procedure may sweep the solar cell system along determined paths (e.g., azimuth and elevation paths) while measuring an output parameter indicative of system performance. The measured data is analyzed to determine if the solar cell system is in misalignment in which case the solar cell system is moved into proper alignment. The alignment procedure may be implemented on a periodic basis or using triggers, and may be automatically executed or manually executed.