One of the key stumbling blocks for supporters of solar energy is the fact that many of the planet’s sunniest spots lay in the middle of oceans or inhospitable deserts. Now a team from Israel’s Technion Institute of Technology have developed solar energy balloons as a means of harnessing the sun’s energy in exactly such remote areas.

The team argue that the devices may be a cheap way to power remote areas lacking either the land or the infrastructure to accommodate "traditional"-type large power stations.

According to the concept’s developer, Pini Gurfil, the idea is “to take advantage of the height dimension. When you do that, you save a lot of land resources and can get to places otherwise hard to reach.”

The helium-filled balloons, available from around spring 2009, are covered with thin-film solar panels, and can float at heights of up to several hundred meters. The electricity generated is fed via a wire cable into an inverter capable of converting it for household use.

Initial research has shown that a typical 3 Meter (10ft) balloon should cost around $4,000, and be capable of producing around 1Kw of energy. This roughly compares to the same output from 25 square meters (269 sq ft) of traditional solar panels, at a cost of $10,000.

However, critics suggest that the system may have only limited niche appeal, and point to the widespread availability of "free" space on city rooftops and relatively low cost land around many urban centers. Now if they could get them to ten or twenty thousand feet...above the cloud layer, that would be another story.

Via Reuters

Comments (10)

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And that would cost?
written by Kevin , April 08, 2008

What would the cost/loss be of transporting that power 10-20 thousand feet down to ground level. What would the risk be to aircraft of having a giant cable... and... well there's lots of ands.

What would be cool, is if they could just fill them with helium and send them up to the space station for mounting. That, would be bad ass.

Can we say space and under water citys
written by Raymond , April 08, 2008

Space - shoot it at the moon and bam we have a solar cells, outside of Armies space base on the moon (we all know its there)
Under water you could have it attached to a dome and then power the cities.

Interest
written by Matéo , April 08, 2008

Very interesting thing... I think it's going to evolue with the time. Just wait & see
Excuse my poor English... I'm French and not good in English

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written by Bob Wallace , April 08, 2008

I'm missing the point of this.

Some of the sunniest parts of the planet are large deserts where land is very inexpensive.

Just stick the thin-film (or solar thermal) on the ground where it's a lot easier to maintain. And a lot easier to secure against high winds.

Panels do need the occasional cleaning...

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written by josh , April 08, 2008

The only real place I could think where this might be useful is maybe an oil rig or something else out in the ocean where there isn't land.

Want to be an environmentalist? Learn e
written by Al Fin , April 09, 2008

Long tethers for high altitude, low voltage photovoltaic (or high altitude wind) will not work.

Keep it on the ground.

'Free' space but expensive panels
written by Flint , April 09, 2008

$4000 versus $10000 for the equivalent generated amount of electricity? That 'free' rooftop space is actually costing $6000! How high do these things float? If it's not so high that it affects aircraft flight panels they would be a fantastic alternative to expensive panels in urban areas as well, particularly in high density housing complexes like those that are common where I live.

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written by spostareduro , April 09, 2008

Very interesting indeed. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to the many environmental issues that are before us. I have learned a bit of something new each time I've visited this blog and I appreciate the education. Thanks.

does height make a difference?
written by sodapop , April 09, 2008

I wonder if the solar collection is more efficient the higher it is in the sky?

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written by Bob Wallace , April 09, 2008

When I look at some of the ideas that get thrown out I find myself wondering if the author has a stronger background in Photoshop than in Physics.

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