SOLAR BALLOONS!

A recent podcast on the Scientific American website set NewEnergyNews in search of more information about balloons used as solar energy collectors. The result is below.

Normally news-driven, NewEnergyNews in this instance has fallen prey to the danger that threatens all niche news reports: The unusual gets attention while the important may go unnoticed.

Still, what titillates one imagination may stimulate another intellect. As the poets and the weather reporters say, “Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

A Geotectura array over the Holy Land. (click to enlarge)

Solar Energy Via Balloons; an array of collecting balloons could be a new way to capture solar energy without using vast tracts of land
Cynthia Graber, March 28, 2008 (Scientific American)
and
Israeli inventor puts his head in the clouds and his feet on the ground
Nicky Blackburn, July 5, 2007 (Israel 21C)

WHO
Geotectura (Joseph Cory, founder/architect); Cool Earth Solar (Dr. Eric Cummings, founder; Rob Lamkin, CEO)

A Cool Earth Solar balloon. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
- SunHopes, the Geotectura version of a balloon-lofted solar energy collector, uses thin film PV material and transmits electricity down its anchoring cable.
- The Cool Earth concept utilizes balloons made of highly reflective materials to focus solar energy onto PV collectors.

WHEN
- On February 14, Cool Earth Solar obtained $21 million in new financing.
- SunHopes was runner-up in the 2007 RE: Vision Design Competition.

Cool Earth Solar tethering schematic. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
- Cool Earth Solar is based in Livermore, CA
- Geotectura is based in Haifa, Israel.

WHY
- Both concepts use helium-filled balloons. Both claim tough construction capable of withstanding harsh weather and high winds. Both trumpet quick, easy installation with minimal construction. Both offer the possibility of large arrays using minimal ground space.
- The Cool Earth reflecting system claims to be 400 times cheaper than the mirrors used in solar power plants and use 60 times less steel.
- Geotectura describes its concept as malleable. It could use thin film on the outside or as a lining for clear exterior materials or it could be made of reflective materials.

A Cool Earth Solar array. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Lamkin, CEO: “Cool Earth Solar power plants will produce electricity at a cost lower than natural gas-fueled plants. Our innovative solar technology delivers economically as well as environmentally…We will apply the funding towards expanding our team, developing our technology, and building our state-of-the-art solar power plants. We are actively seeking exceptional engineers, scientists, and manufacturing designers…”
- Geotectura: “…The goal is to develop an efficient, portable, land area-independent, inexpensive and reliable energy source for all, thus contributing to promoting society by decentralizing and diversifying energy resources while generating an ecological coherence between humans and nature…”