Pyramidal energy collector

Claim 1

An energy collector comprising: a base and a generally pyramidal-shaped structure extending around and upward from said base; an opaque wall region of said pyramidal shaped structure extending approximately one-half way around said base, and said wall region extending upward linearly at an angle of less than 90° with respect to said base; said base and said wall region each having a radiant energy reflective inner surface, and approximately the remainder of said pyramidal shaped structure being radiant energy transmissive; and an energy absorber comprising photovoltaic cells extending around and forming a lower portion of said wall region, said photovoltaic cells being positioned and configured to: directly receive a portion of the radiation passing through the transmissive remainder of said structure, receive some radiation via a path through said transmissive remainder onto said reflective inner surface of said pyramidal structure and then reflected onto said photovoltaic cells, receive some radiation via a path through said transmissive remainder of said structure onto said reflective inner surface of said base and then reflected onto said photovoltaic cells, and to receive some radiation via a path through said transmissive remainder of said pyramidal-shaped structure that includes both said reflective inner surface of said base and said reflective inner surface of said pyramidal-shaped structure; whereby a substantial amount of all of the radiant energy passing through said transmissive remainder of said structure is captured by said photovoltaic cells, thereby, providing enhanced levels of radiation to said cells.