A system includes a thermal transpiration generator having a vacuum-sealed container, a rotatable shaft within the container, bearings supporting the shaft within the container, a first set of vanes secured to the shaft, a second set of vanes secured to the shaft, a first receiving lens for focusing energy on the first set of vanes, a second receiving lens for focusing energy on the second set of vanes, and a flywheel secured to the shaft. An electric generator is located outside the container and is coupled to the rotatable shaft with a magnetic coupler to be driven by rotation of the shaft. The system further includes a light energy collector system concentrating energy on each of the first and second receiving lenses, and an outer housing located about the container and the electric generator.