Here’s the latest development in creative solar technology, courtesy of Reuters: giant solar balloons.
Israeli scientists are working on a way to put flexible solar panels on large, helium-filled balloons, that would float hundreds of yards in the air, collecting the sun’s rays, and transmitting the energy to homes and businesses below. The balloons could be especially useful in remote areas where installing large, land-based solar panels might be difficult, or even impossible.
By solar standards, the balloons appear to be quite efficient. According to the article, “a balloon with a three metre (10 ft) diameter could provide about one kilowatt of energy, the same as 25 square metres (269 square feet) of traditional solar panels.”
As the technology improves, solar power is going to play a key role in the world’s transition away from fossil fuels. It’s going to take some time, but it’s good to know that smart people are working on innovative solutions.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am and is filed under Alternative Energy Technology . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
