A solar heat concentrator comprising, in combination, solar radiation concentrator means and absorber means for converting the concentrated solar energy into usable form. The concentrator means is essentially a line focus Fresnel array, and includes a plurality of generally parallelly disposed elongated self-supporting elements with reflective surfaces, each element having means for positioning the reflective surfaces in an operative solar viewing disposition, as well as in an inoperative or idle disposition wherein the reflective surfaces are protected from adverse affects due to the elements, including wind, dust, hail, and the like. The radiation absorber means includes an elongated fluid transfer duct of closed cross-section such as an elongated cylinder, with the axis of the fluid transfer duct being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the array of reflective surfaces, and with the peripheral surface of the fluid transfer duct having an energy adsorptive zone viewing the concentrator means at substantially the focal point of the concentrator, the balance of the peripheral surface of the absorber being thermally insulated.
展开▼
