Apparatuses and methods for providing a secondary reflector on a solar collector system

A solar collector system, said system comprising:

• a frame assembly configured to define a unitary pivot axis;
• a primary reflector, the primary reflector being operatively attached to at least a portion of said frame assembly;
• a secondary reflector, the secondary reflector being operatively attached to at least a portion of said frame assembly;
• and
• an absorber tube, the absorber tube being operatively attached to at least a portion of said frame assembly such that the absorber tube is positioned substantially intermediate the primary reflector and the secondary reflector,
• wherein the primary reflector, the secondary reflector, and the absorber tube form a single unit, said single unit being configured to rotate substantially about the unitary pivot axis whereas the primary reflector, the secondary reflector, and the absorber tube each remain stationary relative to one another so as to minimize misalignment there-between.

A method of using a solar collector system to maximize collection of light beams directed thereon by an external light source, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) providing a system comprising:
• (1) a frame assembly configured to define a unitary pivot axis;
• (2) a primary reflector, the primary reflector being operatively attached to at least a portion of the frame assembly;
• (3) a secondary reflector, the secondary reflector being operatively attached to at least a portion of the frame assembly;
• and
• (4) an absorber tube, the absorber tube being operatively attached to at least a portion of the frame assembly such that the absorber tube is positioned intermediate the primary reflector and the secondary reflector and the primary reflector, the secondary reflector, and the absorber tube form a single unit;
• (B) positioning said single unit in a first orientation, said first orientation corresponding to a position at which, during a first period of time, a volume of light beams directed onto said primary reflector is maximized;
• and
• (C) rotating said single unit to a second orientation, said second orientation corresponding to a position at which, during a second period of time different from said first period of time, said volume of light beams directed onto said primary reflector is maximized, wherein said rotating occurs about said unitary pivot point such that the primary reflector, the secondary reflector, and the absorber tube within the single unit each remain stationary relative to one another so as to minimize misalignment there-between.