We’re used to solar panels on rooftops and in fields, but what if the sun could be “tied” to the ground, raising it to the desired height? An international team of scientists seems to have found a way to do just that, developing a balloon-integrated photovoltaic system (BIPVS). It sounds like science fiction, but let’s figure out what it actually is.
From Problem to Solution: Avoiding Shadow and Bad Weather
The limitations of traditional solar energy are well known: shadows from buildings and trees, snow cover, hail, and other vagaries of the weather. BIPVS solves these problems elegantly and radically. Imagine a hybrid balloon hovering at an altitude high enough to avoid obstacles on the ground. The top of the balloon, like a giant lens, collects sunlight, and the bottom concentrates it, directing it to a compact solar cell suspended below. Genius in simplicity? Perhaps. But behind this simplicity lies complex engineering calculations and innovative materials.
Anatomy of a Solar Airship: Not Just a Ball with a Battery
Let’s take a look inside this system. The balloon is not just a shell filled with gas. It is a complex structure, the upper part of which is made of a transparent material with special refractive properties, and the lower part is made of a material that additionally concentrates light. The engineers have provided for everything: a gas exchange system to maintain the required pressure, energy storage modules, and even stabilizing cables that hold the balloon in the desired position. They did not forget about protection either: the solar cell, located in the lower part of the structure, is reliably protected from precipitation.
Energy arithmetic: how much electricity is in one cylinder?
But the main question, of course, is efficiency. The developers claim that one such balloon can generate from 3.5 to 4 GWh of electricity per month. This is quite a lot, especially considering that there can be several such balloons, and they can work in conjunction, providing energy to entire settlements or enterprises. Of course, the actual productivity will depend on many factors, including geographic location, weather conditions and the altitude of the balloon.
From the Lab to the Real World: Prospects and Challenges
For now, BIPVS is a prototype that has been tested in lab conditions and modeled for various climate zones. But we can already talk about the potential advantages of this technology. Firstly, it is mobile and scalable: the cylinders can be relatively easily moved and deployed in any quantity. Secondly, it is independent of ground infrastructure: BIPVS can operate in places where the construction of solar power plants is difficult or impossible. Thirdly, it is a potential reduction in the cost of electricity production, especially in remote areas.
Of course, there are challenges. These include the durability of materials, problems associated with wind loads and precipitation, and the need to develop reliable control and monitoring systems. But, as experience shows, many technological barriers can be overcome, and it is quite possible that in the near future we will see solar power plants floating in the sky, providing us with clean and affordable energy.
Beyond Electricity: What Else Can This Technology Do?
And finally, let’s look at the bigger picture. BIPVS technology can be used in more than just energy. Imagine mobile communication platforms, floating laboratories for environmental monitoring, or even surveillance airships for rescue services. The possibilities this technology opens up are truly endless. And who knows, maybe these “solar airships” are the future of decentralized energy and beyond.
https://www.ixbt.com/live/science/solnechnye-paneli-na-vozdushnyh-sharah-uchenye-nashli-sposob-oboyti-ogranicheniya-tradicionnyh-solnechnyh-paneley.html
