Abstract: A radiant energy concentrator is disclosed with optical properties similar to that of the triangle prism concentrator, but with entrance and exit apertures parallel to each other. Use of the radiant energy concentrator as a component in a photovoltaic module is disclosed, and the reflectors of adjacent concentrators are preferably formed from a single piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which employs a light concentrator with an asymmetric acceptance angle to concentrate sunlight on predominately non-equatorial facing surfaces such as roof tops. In some embodiments a photovoltaic module is disclosed using triangular prisms to concentrate light onto silicon cells, thereby reducing the amount of photovoltaic material required for generation of electrical power from sunlight without reducing the amount of light accepted by the module on non-equatorial surfaces in the northern and southern hemispheres. In some other embodiments parallel aperture concentrators are used in place of triangular prisms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for simultaneously forming the reflector of a photovoltaic concentrator and the electrical connections between a plurality of photovoltaic cells. In some embodiments a photovoltaic device is disclosed using triangular prisms to concentrate light onto silicon cells, thereby reducing the amount of photovoltaic silicon required for generation of electrical power from sunlight without reducing the amount of light accepted by the device.

Abstract: A radiant energy concentrator of sunlight adapted for use with a photovoltaic cell. The radiant energy concentrator has a hollow first stage formed by two pairs of facing reflective sides curved to different parabolas. The first stage is optically coupled to a solid second stage with two pairs of facing reflective sides curved to different parabolas. The second stage is optically coupled to a solid light diffuser is some embodiments. The solid light diffuser is optically coupled to the photovoltaic cell with a clear encapsulant. The radiant energy concentrator is mounted on a metal substrate for thermal management. The radiant energy concentrator can operate efficiently with only single axis tracking of the Sun in part because the reflective sides form orthogonal acceptance angles corresponding to the annual and daily apparent passage of the Sun on Earth.