Abstract V-troughs made of plane mirrors are used as solar concentrators with high concentration ratios assuming a normal incidence angle of solar radiation. Because of its uniform illumination, this type of concentrator is found to be suitable for photovoltaic concentrator cells. General analytical expressions for the concentrator's length, efficiency, reflector-to-aperture ratio and ideal and actual concentration ratios are derived. Comparison of the V-trough with the compound parabolic collector concentrator for the special case of normal incidence is presented. Design graphs using the experimental results are also discussed.