Apparatus and method for acquiring concentrated solar energy

A concentrated solar energy system, comprising:

• a reflective trough with a reflective upper surface, wherein the reflective upper surface of the reflective trough reflects incident sunlight energy towards a focal line;
• a solar evacuated tube heat collector,
• wherein the solar evacuated tube heat collector is defined by a transparent fluid container member that has a length that corresponds to a length of the reflective upper surface of the reflective trough, and
• wherein the solar evacuated tube heat collector is located along the focal line associated with the reflective trough such that an interior of the transparent fluid container member encompasses the focal line;
• a wave guide located above and in proximity to the solar evacuated tube heat collector,
• wherein the wave guide is defined by a length corresponding to the length of the solar evacuated tube heat collector, and
• wherein a lower surface of the wave guide is a reflective lower surface that reflects incident sunlight energy downwards onto the solar evacuated tube heat collector;
• and
• a cradle,
• wherein the cradle is defined by a length that corresponds to the length of the reflective trough, and
• wherein the cradle secures the reflective trough, the solar evacuated tube heat collector, and the wave guide in position with respect to each other and
• a photovoltaic cell unit with a plurality of photovoltaic cells oriented in an upward direction to receive incident sunlight energy so that the received incident sunlight energy is converted to electrical energy,
• wherein the photovoltaic cell unit is configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical load;
• and
• wherein the photovoltaic cell unit is defined by a length that corresponds to the length of the solar evacuated tube heat collector, and
• wherein the photovoltaic cell unit is secured to a top surface of the wave guide;
• and wherein the photovoltaic cell unit is defined by a length that corresponds to the length of the wave guide, and
• wherein the plurality of photovoltaic cells are fabricated onto a top surface of a substrate of the wave guide;
• and an end cap concentrator secured to an end of the cradle,
• wherein the end cap concentrator is shaped as half of a reflective parabola, and
• wherein the end cap concentrator reflects incident sunlight upward towards the focal line and the wave guide;
• and
• wherein the end cap concentrator is defined by a width that corresponds to a length between a first upper edge of the reflective trough and an opposing second upper edge of the reflective trough;
• and
• a second end cap concentrator secured to an opposing end of the cradle,
• wherein the second end cap concentrator is shaped as half of a reflective parabola, and
• wherein the second end cap concentrator reflects incident sunlight upward towards the focal line and the wave guide.