A system and method for collecting solar energy wherein the system comprising a tower formed having a plurality of stories, the tower formed of a plurality of structural members extending between hub connectors to form a space frame providing a vertical airflow path therethrough and a plurality of solar panels secured to an outside periphery of the tower. The method comprises providing a tower formed having a plurality of stories, the tower formed of a plurality of structural members extending between hub connectors to form a space frame providing a vertical airflow path therethrough and securing a plurality of solar panels to and around an outside periphery of the tower.
1. A system for collecting solar energy comprising:
a tower formed having a plurality of stories, said tower formed of a plurality of structural members extending between hub connectors to form a space frame providing a vertical airflow path therethrough; and
a plurality of solar panels secured to an outside periphery of said tower,
wherein each of said plurality of solar panels includes reflector panels positioned therebelow.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said tower has a trapezoidal cross section having a long front wall, a short rear wall and angled sidewalls.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of solar panels are secured to said long front wall and said angled sidewalls.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said plurality of solar panels are secured in a vertical orientation to said tower.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said plurality of solar panels are arranged in rows around said tower.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said reflector panels are angled outwardly from said tower.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said reflector panels form a vent gap between a bottom edge thereof and said tower.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said tower includes grated decking between levels therein.
9. A method for collecting solar energy comprising:
providing a tower formed having a plurality of stories, said tower formed of a plurality of structural members extending between hub connectors to form a space frame providing a vertical airflow path therethrough; and
securing a plurality of solar panels to and around an outside periphery of said tower,
wherein each of said plurality of solar panels includes reflector panels positioned therebelow.