Abstract: An optical collection apparatus includes a plurality of light transmissive optical reflectors and a plurality of planar bifacial solar cells. Each light transmissive optical reflector is configured to transmit indirect light impinging on first and second collection sides thereof. First and second photovoltaic sides of each of the plurality of bifacial solar cells are positioned to collect indirect light impinging thereon. The planar bifacial solar cells are arranged such that at least one light transmissive optical reflector of the plurality of light transmissive optical reflectors is positioned between consecutive ones of the planar bifacial solar cells. Each light transmissive optical reflector of the plurality of light transmissive optical reflectors is configured to reflect direct incoming light impinging on the first collection side thereof towards the first photovoltaic side of a corresponding one of the planar bifacial solar cells. A solar collection and shading system is also contemplated.

Abstract: A bifacial photovoltaic solar panel and solar panel assembly. The panel includes at least one transparent layer; bifacial photovoltaic cells positioned and arranged to absorb irradiance incident thereon on both sides; and at least one optical element. To form the assembly, the panel is connected to a mounting assembly. When in use, the mounting assembly obscures at least a portion of the panel second side, some cells receiving less irradiance via the panel second side than other cells due to the mounting assembly obscuration, and the optical element is arranged to direct irradiance incident thereon via the panel first side onto the first sides of the subset of cells whereby at least a portion of irradiance having been prevented from reaching the second sides of the cells by the mounting assembly is compensated for by irradiance reflected by the optical element onto the first sides of the cells.

Abstract: A device for harvesting sunlight includes a frame and a plurality of sunlight harvesting units. Each sunlight harvesting unit includes a first reflector having a first reflective surface; a second reflector having a second reflective surface; a first light collection unit positioned proximate the second reflector and oriented to receive reflected light from first reflective surface, and a second light collection unit positioned proximate the first reflector and oriented to receive reflected light from the second reflective surface. Each light collection unit has a lower-efficiency photovoltaic cell and a higher-efficiency photovoltaic cell, the cells in thermal communication.

Abstract: A solar concentrator apparatus including at least one refracting component comprising a plurality of refracting elements; a receiving layer including at least one solar energy collector and being adjacent and optically connected to the refracting component; at least one reflecting component adjacent and optically connected to the receiving layer, the reflecting component being disposed opposite the at least one refracting component, the reflecting component comprising a plurality of reflecting elements, each one of the reflecting elements being associated with a corresponding one of the refracting elements, each one of the reflecting elements comprising first and second reflecting surfaces; wherein the refracting elements are positioned to refract light towards the at least one reflecting component, each reflecting element receiving refracted light from its refracting element, the at least one solar energy collector receiving reflected light from each of reflecting elements immediately subsequent reflection b

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: Device for concentrating and harvesting sunlight comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of sunlight concentrating and harvesting units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical concentrating element, a photovoltaic cell sandwiched within the panel for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical concentrating element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of sunlight to the photovoltaic cell. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the photovoltaic cell away from the unit.

Abstract: Illumination panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a light source in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light for output via the rigid sheet.

Abstract: Device for providing comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of illuminating units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical dispersing element, a light source sandwiched within the panel for generating light from electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the light source, the light source being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical dispersing element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of light generated by the light source to the outside of the device. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the light source away from the unit.

Abstract: Concentrated photovoltaic panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a photovoltaic cell in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light received via the receiver substrate assembly toward said photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: Illumination panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a light source in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light for output via the rigid sheet.

Abstract: Device for providing comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of illuminating units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical dispersing element, a light source sandwiched within the panel for generating light from electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the light source, the light source being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical dispersing element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of light generated by the light source to the outside of the device. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the light source away from the unit.

Abstract: Device for concentrating and harvesting sunlight comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of sunlight concentrating and harvesting units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical concentrating element, a photovoltaic cell sandwiched within the panel for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical concentrating element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of sunlight to the photovoltaic cell. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the photovoltaic cell away from the unit.

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.