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Here we report a cost effective solar harvestor based on parabolic trough collector (PTC) technology with three remarkable characteristics. First, unlike the expensive (~USD 170/m2‐aperture) state‐of‐the‐art PTCs which use large curved reflectors, this reflector is composed of a plurality of long rectangular mirrored strips of glass placed on laser‐cut parabolic ribs to yield an accurate reflecting shape giving a concentration ratio of 38 (comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art). Second, the entire assembly is on bolts. It can be delivered in boxes, and can easily be erected on desired site: in stark contrast to state‐of‐the art PTCs, which need to be fabricated in a specially equipped workshop and installed using cranes. Third, by incorporating several innovations guided by comprehensive optimization using finite element analysis and ray tracing, the cost of the system has been brought below USD 82/m2‐aperture (as per the recommendation of NAE). Taken together, this solution promises more cost‐effective base load electricity than Photovoltaics, hence goes a long way toward meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Affordable Energy (SDG‐7). Further, it can be fabricated using industrial equipment that is readily available in the developing regions of the Sun‐belt and installed using unskilled labor. Hence, it can form the core of a massive, decentralized, micro‐CSP industry that can provide dignified employment to large numbers of people in developing regions (SDG‐8). We have termed this technology Harvest of the Sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Designed a novel Modified CPC (MCPC), Prototype built and tested in on-field conditions and costed on actuals. • Cost effective (Less than $60/m2 aperture) • Modular Design that can be shipped disassembled and assembled on site without heavy equipment. • It provides the significant opportunity to use SIPH (Solar for Industrial Process Heat) systems to address the need for industrial process heating. • Design can seriously address UN SDG-7, SDG-8 and SDG-13. In the context of achieving Net Zero targets, the adoption of compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) technology can play a vital role. The purpose of this work is to modify the design of a conventional CPC in such a way that for the same concentration ratio, and for same aperture area, the modified CPC (MCPC) will require significantly less material for its support structure, receiver and reflector: and hence will have reduced cost. The MCPC, we designed, has a concentration ratio of 4 and an acceptance angle 10° and requires position modification only once a month when oriented with its long axis along the East-West direction. We report experiments on an experimental prototype: the solar-to-thermal efficiency of which was 35.7% and cost of which was below $60/m2. This MCPC enables inexpensive and convenient generation of heat applications including driving low temperature industrial process heating, generation of hot water, hot air for drying, space-heating and even cooking. This can directly contribute to meeting Net Zero goals and furthermore address the problem of deforestation due to use of wood for domestic cooking. Also, since the MCPC can be manufactured using technologies available even in semi-urban regions of the Sun-belt, use of the MCPC can also boost local manufacturing economies providing dignified employment opportunities in currently underserved parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]