Solar concentrator and illumination apparatus

A solar concentration and illumination apparatus comprising:

• a receiving layer comprising at least one solar energy collector and at least one light source;
• at least one first transparent optical component disposed on a first side of the receiving layer, the at least one first transparent optical component comprising at least one plano-convex refracting element;
• at least one second transparent optical component disposed on a second side of the receiving layer, the at least one second transparent optical component comprising at least one optical element;
• wherein:
• the at least one plano-convex element is positioned to receive light travelling parallel to an optical axis and refract it towards the at least one optical element of the at least one second transparent optical component,
• the at least one optical element of the at least one second transparent optical component is positioned to reflect light towards the at least one solar energy collector;
• and
• the at least one optical element of the at least one second transparent optical component is positioned to refract and emit diffuse light impinging thereon towards the exterior of the solar concentrator and illumination apparatus.