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Abstract

A refractive optical concentrator for focussing solar energy on to small focal spots includes a linear Fresnel lens optically cross-coupled with simple cylindrical lenses. The cross-coupled lens concentrator comprises an optically clear dielectric material, such as acrylic plastic, with a plurality of linear prisms formed on its inner surface, and a plurality of perpendicularly mounted cylindrical lenses formed on its outer surface, such that the cylindrical lenses focus the sunlight toward a series of lateral axes and the prisms re-focus the sunlight along a longitudinal axis. The bi-focussed radiant energy is thereby concentrated upon a series of photovoltaic cells for transforming sunlight into electrical energy.

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First Claim