APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER

摘要

In one instance a concentrating solar energy collector (100) comprises e.g. extruded side brackets (140a, 140b) and extruded base bracket (130) joining panels (125a, 125b) to form a housing. A first elastically deformable reflector (110a) may be at least substantially flat absent deforming force.' The. frame or housing is configured to receive the first elastically deformable reflector and exert compressive force that maintains the first elastically deformable reflector in a shape that concentrates at least a portion of the solar radiation on the heat collector. Additional reflectors (110b, 110c, and 11Od), brackets (155a, 155b), and panels (135a, 135b) are incorporated into the illustrated collector. Side brackets (140a, 140b) may be identical, as may be panels (125a, 125b), panels (135a, 135b), brackets (155a, 155b) and reflectors (110a, 110b as well as 110c, 11Od).