Disclosed is a vertical solar apparatus, comprising a vertical light guide device (110) and a light energy utilization device (120), wherein the vertical light guide device (110) comprises at least one Fresnel lens (111, 112) arranged substantially vertically; and the light energy utilization device has a second light receiving surface (Fa2) substantially laid out flat. The light guide device is used for deflecting sunlight, such that the sunlight is at least partially guided to the second light receiving surface (Fa2). The solar apparatus can be adapted in order to be mounted in a long and narrow zone, and a vertical structure thereof enables the solar apparatus to easily engage with an elevation of a building, thereby saving on an additional occupied area.

An optical element is provided which comprises a plurality of fluorophores disposed in a medium. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50% and an absorption spectrum with a maximum intensity at wavelengths less than 400 nm, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 1200 nm. The optical element is at least partially transparent over the visible region of the spectrum. The optical element is especially useful as a window or other optical component of a greenhouse structure.

A solar collector energy conversion system has a solar collector apparatus adapted to collect sunlight at a collection location and direct it to one or more light transport guides for transporting the sunlight to a conversion location separate from the collection location, and a solar energy conversion apparatus arranged at the conversion location and adapted to receive sunlight transported by the light transport guides and to convert the transported sunlight to an alternative form of energy.

A photovoltaic chip is designed to receive light energy from a light box arranged above it. The light can be sunlight guided by optical-fibers. For ease of replacement the photovoltaic chips can be supported in a carrier which is movably housed in a block. The blocks are housed on racks and are movable for ease of repair and replacement.

An electromagnetic radiation collecting and directing apparatus is described herein. The electromagnetic radiation collecting and directing apparatus facilitates directing light from an exterior of a structure to an interior of a structure. The directed light is then distributed as necessary within the structure for heating, illumination, or is stored for use at a later time.

A growth chamber for improving growing conditions of a growing plant which include a growing grape vine, grape vine replant or other agricultural crop plant. The growth chamber includes a solar concentrator for collecting and concentrating solar energy, a light transmitter in optical communication with the solar concentrator, for directing the collected solar energy toward the growing plant, an inner wall comprising a perimeter positioned between the solar concentrator and the growing grape vine or grape vine replant, the inner wall further comprising a reflective inner surface for directing collected solar energy toward the growing plant, and a protective inner surface configured for placement around the growing plant, the protective inner surface defining a protected zone surrounding the growing plant, the protective inner surface extending downward from the light transmitter and comprising a rigid outer wall for protecting the protected zone from one or more growth limiting factors selected from the group consisting of: wind damage; heat damage; cold damage; frost damage; herbicide damage; and animal damage; and/or for reducing evapo-transpiration by growing plant positioned in the protected zone.

The method is for conveying solar power from a sun. A solar concentrator conveys and concentrates solar power as rays into a glass rod. The solar concentrator has a tapering device disposed at a bottom thereof. The glass rod has a first curved glass loop section, a second curved glass loop section and a straight glass section. The straight glass section has an outer end that is positioned in proximity to a water surface to heat the water. The first loop section is rotated relative to the second loop section at a first gap and the second section is rotated relative to the curved section at a second gap so that the concentrator can follow the path of the sun during the day.

A scanning optical device suitable for use as a camera or solar concentrator.

Apparatus, methods and systems of wireless power distribution are disclosed. Embodiments involve the redirection of collimated energy to a converter, which stores or converts the energy into a more suitable form of energy for at least one specific point-of-use that is coupled to the converter.

A light guide apparatus that can redirect light impinging on the apparatus over a wide range of incident angles and can concentrate light without using a tracking system and methods for fabrication. This apparatus uses conditions of total internal reflection and refraction near the critical angle for total internal reflection (near TIR) in order to trap light within the apparatus.