What does a compound parabolic concentrator do?

A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is designed to efficiently capture and concentrate sunlight from a wide range of angles and light sources. It functions by using two parabolic surfaces that are positioned to reflect sunlight towards a focal point. This design allows the CPC to collect light from both direct sunlight and diffuse light, resulting in an effective accumulation of solar energy.

The ability to funnel light from multiple sources is crucial in applications where the sun's position changes throughout the day or in conditions where the sunlight is not uniform. This characteristic makes CPCs particularly useful in solar thermal systems and other solar energy applications, enabling effective heating or power generation from collected solar energy.

In contrast, the other options describe functionalities that do not align with the purpose of a CPC. Collecting solar energy for heating is a secondary effect of the CPC, but the primary function emphasizes the concentration of light rather than just collecting it. Adjusting the angle of solar panels relates to tracking systems, which are not part of a compound parabolic concentrator's design, and dispersing sunlight over a wide area is opposite to what a CPC aims to achieve.