Radiant-energy-powered lighting devices, and particularly those which are adapted and arranged to gather solar energy, are provided. Devices of the invention are particularly suitable for use on one side of a membrane, such as fabric membrane, to provide electrical power or visible light on the same, or on an opposing side, of that same membrane, or at a distance from where the radiant energy is gathered. Devices and methods of the present invention are particularly useful with apparatus made of thin materials such as fabric or fabric-like membranes, such as umbrellas, tents, awnings, and tent-like structures such as temporary shelters and inflatable structures formed of membranes. Embodiments of the present invention are also adaptable for use with other thin materials, such as metallic, glass or wooden sheets or panels, and are thus adaptable for use with vehicles and habitable structures.