Optical elements and systems for reflecting direct beam sunlight while admitting diffuse skylight through building apertures

An optical system for reflecting direct beam sunlight while admitting diffuse skylight through building apertures, the optical system being configured to be secured to a building aperture of a building, the optical system comprising:

• at least a first optical element comprising at least a first sheet of optically transmissive material, said at least a first sheet having at least a first side and a second side, the first side facing away from the building, the second side facing an interior of the building, the second side having at least a first set of optical features formed therein that are designed to reflect beam sunlight while passing diffusive light when the first optical element is in a first orientation relative to the Sun;
• and
• a rotation-imparting mechanism mechanically coupled to said at least a first optical element, the rotational system imparting rotational motion to said at least a first optical element to cause said at least a first optical element to track the Sun and remain in the first orientation relative to the Sun such that rays of beam sunlight are incident on the optical features of the first set of optical features at a preselected angle of incidence that results in the optical features reflecting the rays of beam sunlight while passing the diffuse light.