Modular, self supporting exterior enclosure system with insulating, evacuated tubes having solar collector rods

A modular wall system comprising:

• a plurality of interconnected units, each unit having a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a convex exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall, and an interior void defined by the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the convex exterior sidewall, and the interior sidewall,
• wherein the interior sidewalls are bonded together at interior lateral joints therebetween via an adhesive, and
• wherein each of the sidewalls extends between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, and
• each of the units is connected (i) horizontally via a horizontal connector and/or (ii) vertically via a vertical connector.

A method of generating electric power via a modular wall system, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a plurality of units, each unit having a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a convex exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall, and an interior void defined by the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the convex exterior sidewall, and the interior sidewall,
• wherein an outer surface of the convex exterior sidewall has a radius substantially equal to a radius of an outer surface of the interior sidewall such that, when the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall are secured to each other, the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall collectively form a tubular columnar member, and
• wherein,
• each of the units includes a solar energy collection rod extending vertically within the interior void, and
• the rod is positioned at a focal point defined by the convex exterior sidewall.

A method of generating electric power via an array of solar energy receivers encased in a modular wall system, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a plurality of units, each unit having a top end plate, a bottom end plate, an exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall, and an interior void defined by the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the convex exterior sidewall, and the interior sidewall,
• wherein,
• the exterior sidewall of each unit is configured to focus light incident thereon, and
• each of the units includes one of the solar energy receivers (i) positioned at a focal point defined by the exterior sidewall, and (ii) operable to convert energy from the light to generate electric power, and
• wherein the outer surface of the exterior sidewall has a radius substantially equal to a radius of an outer surface of the interior sidewall such that, when the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall are secured to each other, the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall collectively form a tubular columnar member.