Solar energy collector adaptable to variable focal point

A solar energy collector, comprising:

• a solar energy collection tube having an absorption medium flow path for allowing an absorption medium to flow therethrough;
• a reflector configured to concentrate solar energy on the solar energy collection tube, wherein the reflector is formed in a curved reflecting surface;
• an actuator configured to move the solar energy collection tube or the reflector based on an incidence angle of the solar energy so that the solar energy is focused on the solar energy collection tube, wherein the actuator is configured to adjust a distance between the solar energy collection tube and the reflector by moving one of the solar energy collection tube and the reflector relative to the other so that a distance between a center of curvature of the reflecting surface and a center of the solar energy collection tube is adjusted such that the distance increases when an incident angle of the solar energy increases, and the distance decreases when the incident angle of the solar energy decreases,
• wherein the actuator is further configured to adjust the distance between the center of curvature of the reflecting surface of the reflector and the center of the solar energy collection tube to focus the solar energy on the solar energy collection tube, and
• wherein the actuator is configured to move the solar energy collection tube toward or away from the reflector along a line perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the solar energy collection tube and the center of curvature of the reflecting surface of the reflector so that the solar energy is focused on the solar energy collection tube.