Abstract: Device for harvesting direct sunlight, transmitting diffuse sunlight and for scattering light from a light source to provide illumination, including: a receiving layer including at least one solar energy collector and at least one light source; at least one optical component disposed on a first side of the receiving layer, the optical component including at least one plano-convex refracting element; a second optical component disposed on a second side of the receiving layer, the second optical component comprising at least one optical element; wherein the at least one plano-convex element is positioned to receive direct light and refract it towards the at least one optical element of the second optical component, and wherein the optical element is positioned to reflect light towards the solar energy collector; wherein the at least one optical element is positioned to refract and emit indirect light impinging thereon towards the exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: Device for harvesting direct sunlight, transmitting diffuse sunlight and for scattering light from a light source to provide illumination, including: a receiving layer including at least one solar energy collector and at least one light source; at least one optical component disposed on a first side of the receiving layer, the optical component including at least one plano-convex refracting element; a second optical component disposed on a second side of the receiving layer, the second optical component comprising at least one optical element; wherein the at least one plano-convex element is positioned to receive direct light and refract it towards the at least one optical element of the second optical component, and wherein the optical element is positioned to reflect light towards the solar energy collector; wherein the at least one optical element is positioned to refract and emit indirect light impinging thereon towards the exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly for mounting one or more solar tracking units, which can be adapted for use with various solar energy modules such as photovoltaic modules and heliostat mirrors, is provided. Each assembly comprises a frame of four sides connected at leg assemblies, each leg assembly being adapted for mounting a solar tracking unit. The frame may be configured as an oblique-angled, rhombus or diamond frame with a cross member extending between the closer-spaced leg assemblies. A set of frames may be arranged in the field with adjacent sides of adjacent frames being parallel, with spacing arms of predefined lengths interconnecting adjacent pairs of frames, to provide a desired hexagonal grid spacing.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly for mounting one or more solar tracking units, which can be adapted for use with various solar energy modules such as photovoltaic modules and heliostat mirrors, is provided. Each assembly comprises a frame of four sides connected at leg assemblies, each leg assembly being adapted for mounting a solar tracking unit. The frame may be configured as an oblique-angled, rhombus or diamond frame with a cross member extending between the closer-spaced leg assemblies. A set of frames may be arranged in the field with adjacent sides of adjacent frames being parallel, with spacing arms of predefined lengths interconnecting adjacent pairs of frames, to provide a desired staggered spacing.