A structure for growing plants and/or algae and for capturing solar energy is disclosed. The structure includes an enclosure having a roof and optionally one or more walls, a solar energy concentrator on at least part of the structure, an energy conversion device adjacent to at least one peripheral edge of the solar energy concentrator, and one or more supports or surfaces configured to enable the plants and/or algae to receive at least some of the solar energy. The solar energy concentrator absorbs or collects at least a first wavelength or wavelength band of light and allows at least a second wavelength or wavelength band of light different from the first wavelength or wavelength band of light to pass through (e.g., to the plants and/or algae). The solar energy concentrator comprises one or more absorbers or fluorophores selected from phycobiliproteins, fucoxanthins and luminescent molecules and materials. The energy conversion device is configured to receive and convert light emitted and/or collected by the solar energy concentrator to electrical or thermal energy. A method of growing plants and/or algae and for capturing solar energy using the same or similar structure is also disclosed.
