Stimulated emission luminescent light-guide solar concentrators

A solar concentrator comprising:

• a light-transmissive sheet including:
• a plurality of luminescent particles capable of becoming excited by absorbing solar light within at least a first spectrum of absorption frequencies and, once excited, capable of being stimulated to emit light having a spectrum within at least a first spectrum of emission frequencies;
• a first light-guide;
• and
• at least one focus;
• at least one light source disposed substantially at at least one of the at least one focus for generating a pump light having a spectrum, a portion of which is within at least the first spectrum of emission frequencies, for stimulating at least one of the excited luminescent particles having absorbed solar light within the first spectrum of absorption frequencies such that when the pump light traveling in a first direction of travel stimulates the excited luminescent particles, the excited luminescent particles emit emitted light having a spectrum within the first spectrum of emission frequencies in the first direction of travel of the pump light;
• and
• a first reflector at an edge of the light-transmissive sheet so as to reflect the emitted light and the pump light toward a light collection area, the light collection area located substantially at one of the at least one focus;
• and
• the first light-guide for assisting in guiding the emitted light and the pump light via total internal reflection;
• and
• the emitted light and the pump light being concentrated and converging, at least in part within the first light-guide, toward the light collection area.