NOVELTY - A local concentrator apparatus (10) comprises an array (12) of photovoltaic cells (14) arranged along an elongated strip (16); and optical element(s) (20) arranged to direct and optically concentrate sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells such that position that the directed sunlight impinges onto the strip follows a path moving along the strip without the optical elements tracking the sun (30) as the sun traverses the sky during the day. The optical elements comprise spherical or hemispherical concentrating lenses, parabolic concentrating mirrors, or conical concentrating mirrors.    USE - As a local concentrator apparatus for collecting solar energy; useful in household and industrial applications.    ADVANTAGE - The usage of a local light concentrator helps to reduce photovoltaic (PV) cell area which leads to significant reduction in systems cost. Unlike traditional concentrator type PV systems, the system need not be continuously rotated to face the sun during the day, and thus tracking is not necessary. The use of light concentrator in form of spherical lenses, hemispherical lenses, conical reflectors, or parabolic reflectors, in conjunction with a linear array of PV cells placed such that the focal point of the light concentrator moves along the linear array eliminates the need for moving the solar power panel to face (track) the sun. By using double sided and edge exposed PV cell configurations, illumination from top, bottom as well as the edge of the cell enables a better light capturing process enhancing the overall power conversion efficiency of the system as compared to an existing non-concentrator type flat solar panel. By optimizing the concentration ratios depending on geographical location of the solar panel, the need for active cooling of the PV devices during operation can be eliminated. The local concentrator apparatus design enables the manufacturing of very high efficiency systems. The spherical concentrators allow light to be concentrated independent of the angle from which it enters, thus making tracking of the sun unnecessary. Furthermore, the array of spherical concentrators can be arranged above any desired arrangement or design of PV cells, thus making the resulting apparatus modular in design. The local light concentrator system need not be rotated to track the sun unlike existing concentrator type systems. The system is modular in design and can be simply adapted to use with various PV cells, or any other use that requires passive concentration of light without the need for tracking of the sun. The system is extremely easy to manufacture and hence the cost of the overall system will be significantly lower than existing concentrator type PV systems.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A local concentrator apparatus (10) comprises an array (12) of photovoltaic cells (14) arranged along an elongated strip (16); and optical element(s) (20) arranged to direct and optically concentrate sunlight onto the photovoltaic cells such that position that the directed sunlight impinges onto the strip follows a path moving along the strip without the optical elements tracking the sun (30) as the sun traverses the sky during the day. The optical elements comprise spherical or hemispherical concentrating lenses, parabolic concentrating mirrors, or conical concentrating mirrors. The concentrating lens comprises a solid transparent high refractive index cylindrical rod or a hollow cylindrical solid tube filled with refractive index liquid. The photovoltaic cells comprise a single bandgap material.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of a local concentrator apparatus.    Local concentrator apparatus (10)    Array of photovoltaic cells (12)    Photovoltaic cells (14)    Strip (16)    Optical elements (20)    Sun (30)