A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of solar panels of a spacecraft is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a first step command to a first solar panel, and providing a second step command to a second solar panel at a time of a transient zero-crossing of a dynamic response of the spacecraft body to the first step command, wherein the second solar panel is disposed on an opposite side of the spacecraft from the first solar panel. The apparatus comprises a processor; a first solar panel driver, communicatively coupled to the processor, for providing a first step command to a first solar panel, and a second solar panel driver, communicatively coupled to the processor, for providing a second step command to a second solar panel at a time of a transient zero-crossing of a dynamic response of the spacecraft body to the first step command.