Thermoelectric collection and storage of solar energy

A thermoelectric collector comprising:

• a high density thermopile having a heated end and a cooled end, the high density thermopile comprising one or more dissimilar conductive materials and one or more insulating materials arranged in a stack to form a solid body of the high density thermopile whereby the one or more insulating materials are staggered to form one or more electrical junctions at least one end of the high density thermopile;
• a parabolic solar concentrator configured to direct heat from the sun on the heated end of the high density thermopile;
• and
• one or more electrical leads connected to one or more of the one or more dissimilar conductive materials, the one or more electrical leads configured to conduct electricity generated by the high density thermopile.

A method of solar energy collection comprising:

• at a high density thermopile having a heated end and a cooled end, the high density thermopile comprising one or more planar dissimilar conductive materials and one or more planar insulating materials arranged in a stack to form a solid body of the high density thermopile whereby the one or more insulating materials are staggered to form one or more electrical junctions at least one end of the high density thermopile:
• receiving heat at the heated end of the high density thermopile;
• creating a temperature differential between the heated end of the high density thermopile and the cooled end of the high density thermopile;
• and
• generating electricity with the temperature differential between the heated end and the cooled end of the high density thermopile.