Abstract: A solar-energy siding system is employed by affixing it to an exterior building surface. The system has a transparent siding element, a laminate having at least two spaced-apart ply members, a reflective member having a first orientation substantially between the siding element and the laminate, and a second orientation substantially removed from the area between the siding element and the laminate, and a mechanism for translating the reflective member between the first and the second orientations. The ply members include at least one inner light-absorbing ply member and one outer transparent ply member. The ply members each include a plurality of spacer ribs and the spacer ribs of the inner ply member are disposed crosswise of, and bear against, the spacer ribs of the outer ply member.