Patent ID: 8119905

Claim:
A solar concentrator unit, comprising: a primary mirror for reflecting solar radiation; a combination non-imaging concentrator comprising: a) a light guide having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture, wherein said entrance aperture is larger than said exit aperture; and b) a field lens positioned to receive said radiation reflected from said primary mirror, said lens having an input surface and an output surface, and said lens refracting said radiation toward said entrance aperture of said light guide; an energy conversion device positioned near said exit aperture of said light guide of said combination non-imaging concentrator; and a secondary mirror having a focal point, wherein said secondary mirror reflects said solar radiation from said primary mirror to said combination non-imaging concentrator; wherein said light guide has an acceptance angle, and wherein said refracting by said field lens increases said acceptance angle; and wherein said light guide has a height from said entrance aperture to said exit aperture, wherein i) said entrance aperture is positioned at said focal point of said secondary mirror, and ii) said exit aperture and said energy conversion device are positioned externally to said primary mirror.