Patent ID: 8633376

Claim:
A photovoltaic concentrator assembly comprising: a housing having an annular upper portion and an annular lower portion defining an internal volume, said annular upper portion including an annular upper portion rim having an opening into said internal volume from an exterior of said housing, and including a first sealing surface, and said annular lower portion including an annular lower portion rim and a second sealing surface, said annular upper portion and said annular lower portion being connected at said first and said second sealing surfaces; a photovoltaic cell mounted on said lower housing portion and positioned in said internal volume opposite said opening; an optical element including a transparent optically active body extending across said opening to close said internal volume; and a flange extending outward from and extending about an entire periphery of said optically active body, said flange having an upper surface shaped to engage and form a seal with said annular upper portion and a lower surface shaped to engage and form a seal with said annular lower portion such that said flange is clamped between said annular upper portion and said annular lower portion to form a seal with said annular upper portion and said annular lower portion about said entire periphery of said optically active body, wherein said flange is sealingly clamped between said annular upper portion rim and said annular lower portion rim to enclose said internal volume.