Patent ID: 8420925

Claim:
An apparatus for collecting solar radiation for electricity production and heat comprising: (a) a liquid that is non-conducting and optically transparent; (b) a vessel substantially filled with the liquid comprising, (i) a wall, said wall being optically transparent and having a refractive index about the same as the liquid and wherein said wall is shaped in cross-section to comprise a top having a flat exterior surface such that solar radiation passing through the top enters the vessel in substantially parallel rays, and, a bottom having a concave exterior surface that is coated with a reflective material such that parallel rays of solar radiation traveling through said bottom and striking the reflective material is reflected back through said bottom to a focal line adjacent to the interior surface of the top, and, (ii) an entry port to enable introduction of cooled liquid into the vessel; (iii) an exit port to enable removal of liquid heated by solar radiation; and, (c) a photovoltaic solar cell located adjacent to the interior surface of the top aligned with the focal line.