Patent ID: 8686279
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: F24S,G02B,H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising: a linearly extending receiver comprising solar cells; a plurality of linearly extending reflective elements arranged in side-by-side rows, oriented parallel to a long axis of the receiver, and fixed in position with respect to each other and with respect to the receiver to form a linearly extending reflector; and a linearly extending support structure supporting the receiver and the reflector and pivotally mounted to accommodate rotation of the support structure, the reflector, and the receiver about a rotation axis parallel to the long axis of the receiver; wherein ends of the linearly extending reflective elements are bent away from the receiver to spread light along the long axis of the receiver and into shadows that would otherwise be cast on the receiver by gaps between linearly extending reflective elements.