Photovoltaic systems and methods for optimizing the harvesting of solar energy are disclosed. The photovoltaic system includes: a housing; and a solar panel assembly supported within the housing. The solar panel assembly comprises: one or more solar panels; and a plurality of elongate tubes for receiving the solar panels. The tubes are stacked perpendicular to a base of the housing. Recycling of incident light is facilitated within each of these tubes. The light is intermittently or continuously recycled.