A boiler for generating steam has a substantially enclosed housing
configured to contain an amount of water to be boiled, the housing having
one or more thermally conductive sidewalls which form a substantially
enclosed water chamber and a reflection chamber, the reflection chamber
including a closed top portion and a opening through which light rays may
pass, the opening being vertically disposed below the top portion of the
chamber so that the reflection chamber may trap heat, wherein at least
one of the thermally conductive sidewalls is disposed so as to divide the
water chamber from the reflection chamber. The boiler also include a
support structure attached to or integral with the housing, which support
structure supports the housing in a substantially fixed position during
use of the boiler, and reflecting means for reflecting sunlight through
the opening of the reflection chamber and onto a focal point on one or
more inner surfaces of the top portion of the reflection chamber. Methods
of generating steam and electricity are also described.