Abstract: An invention is disclosed that shades a building from solar energy gain while simultaneously channeling intercepted energy in the form of heat and electricity for useful purposes. The invention is mounted optimally on exterior building surfaces having some direct exposure to the sun. The invention may be installed on the building surface so that it integrates with the building envelope to provide cladding against the weather in addition to shade. The invention includes modular units, each having several louvers that track the movement of the sun to provide optimal shading, and optionally, lighting when the module is implemented as a skylight to allow daylight to pass through into the building interior. Each louver contains photovoltaic cells, a heat dissipating substrate to which photovoltaic cells are mounted, and an optional concentrator lens and/or reflector used to channel solar energy using inexpensive materials.

Abstract: A linearly reflecting trough concentrator that receives spectral energy, preferably visible and near-infrared solar energy spectra, and linearly reflects that energy onto a smaller area on one side of the device, thereby concentrating the energy. The linearly reflecting trough concentrator has the geometry of a single slope-relief interval in a Fresnel lens, and in preferred embodiment comprises an array of heliostatic facets connected continuously to form the base of the trough, a non-imaging focal point where a photonic receiver is located, and a relief surface to connect the heliostatic array to the receiver location. When spectral energy enters the trough at an angle normal to the array's horizontal reference, the concentrator linearly reflects energy to one side of the device where an energy receiver is mounted. The concentrator comprises an array of heliostats oriented according to the negative profile of two interleaved linear Fresnel lens, where the slope of one is the relief of the other.