Modular solar concentrator

A point focusing solar radiation concentrator comprising:

• a reflector consisting of at least one module, each module comprising several reflective panels each having uniform size and shape, each panel having a surface area which is a portion of a sphere, and each panel being substantially equidistant from a small focal aperture;
• and
• a solar radiation receiver fixedly positioned at said focal aperture;
• wherein the distance between said focal aperture and each panel is substantially equal to one half of the radius of curvature of said panel;
• said panels are individually pointed to reflect solar radiation onto said focal aperture;
• and
• each module comprises at least two identical piecewise-straight parallel beams, wherein each panel is mounted between first and second beams within a single module;
• an elongated axle, orthogonal to each of the first and second beams and having first and second ends, is associated with each panel, said axle coupling the panel to the first and second beams;
• each axle is mounted substantially flush onto a back surface of its associated panel so that the panel pivots about a first axis substantially coincident with the long axis of the axle;
• associated with each panel is means for firmly holding said panel in a desired angular position about said first axis;
• and
• further associated with each panel at the intersection of the first beam and the first end of the associated axle, and substantially orthogonal to each of the first beam and the axle, is an elongated mounting member;
• whereby the axle is variably mounted transversely along said elongated mounting member, thus allowing the panel to partially pivot about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.