SunHopes is a novel design paradigm that explores original use of photovoltaic technologies for utilization of solar energy while satisfying a growing need for a sustainable environment. We suggest using a lighter-than-air helium-filled platform containing embedded photovoltaic arrays (PVA) in order to extract electrical power from the incoming solar radiation.

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.

Many concepts can be developed:

1. A simple, helium-filled spherical balloon containing a PVA on the outer skin surface
2. A paraboloidic balloon with a transparent upper part and an opaque lower part containing paraboloid-shaped photovoltaic cells on the inner surface, thus increasing the solar radiation conversion efficiency
3. The same balloon where the inner collectors are replaced by mirrors, and the upper transparent part contains a PVA at the focus of the inner paraboloid-shaped mirror, thus concentrating and augmenting the solar radiation.

Spatial and vertical arrays of the different balloon types will use minimal footprint while producing unlimited energy. It constitutes an accessible, portable and infrastructure-free access to electric power in diverse locations.

Designer Name:
Joseph Cory + Pini Gurfil . Geotectura

Link:
www.geotectura.com
Awards:
Runner-up in the RE:Vision Design Competition

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 1st, 2007 at 11:39 am and is filed under Ecology, Environmental Protection, 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.