Patent ID: 7319189

Claim:
A solar concentrator comprising rows of solar cells alternating with rows of collapsible reflectors to reflect incident energy onto directly adjacent solar cells and a base on which the rows of reflectors and rows of solar cells are mounted, wherein each row of the reflectors comprises: a first and a second elongated sections being parallel to the rows of solar cells, fixed to said base and spaced apart, a first panel being coated with reflective coating on one surface facing away from the base and being in connection with one side of the first section that is proximal to the row of solar cells, a second panel connecting the first panel and one side of the second section that is proximal to the first section, and a third panel being coated with reflective coating on one surface facing away from the base and being in connection with the other side of the second section that is distal to the first section, wherein, absent external forces, said first panel will pivot away from said base and, with the second panel, will form a cross-sectional triangular shape and support the third panel to pivot away from said base such that an upper part of the third panel distal to the base is in contact with a dihedral edge between the first panel and the second panel; and upon exertion of compressive force, said first panel and third panel will pivot toward said base with their surfaces unfolded, said third panel covers the surface of said first panel that faces away from the base, and the second panel is capable of being folded towards the base so that said reflector will collapse.