Systems and methods for collecting solar energy using a tilted linear solar collector

A method of collecting solar energy, the method comprising:

• rotating one or more primary reflectors around a respective rotation axis, wherein each primary reflector comprises an elongated mirror rotatably coupled to a first frame structure such that each primary reflector may rotate around the respective rotation axis, wherein each rotation axis of the one or more primary reflectors is tilted toward Earth's equator at a reflector angle;
• reflecting light from the one or more primary reflectors onto one or more elongated receivers of a receiver assembly, the receiver assembly comprising a second frame structure that is separate and uncoupled from the first frame structure, and each receiver including a longitudinal axis that is tilted toward Earth's equator a receiver angle, each receiver comprising at least one of a heat transfer tube and a photovoltaic panel;
• and
• translating each receiver along the second frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the respective longitudinal axis, wherein each receiver is mechanically translated by at least one of an electric pulley system and an electric ball screw system.

A system for collecting solar energy comprising:

• one or more primary reflectors, each primary reflector comprising an elongated mirror rotatably coupled to a first frame structure such that each primary reflector may pivot around a rotation axis, wherein each rotation axis of the one or more primary reflectors is tilted toward Earth's equator at a reflector angle;
• and
• a receiver assembly mounted on a second frame structure that is separate and uncoupled from the first frame structure,
• wherein the receiver assembly comprises one or more elongated receivers, each receiver including a longitudinal axis that is tilted toward Earth's equator at a receiver angle, and each receiver comprising at least one of a heat transfer tube and a photovoltaic panel, and
• wherein each receiver assembly translates along the second frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the respective longitudinal axis, wherein each receiver is mechanically translated by at least one of an electric pulley system and an electric ball screw system;
• wherein the one or more primary reflectors reflect light onto the one or more receivers.