Solar panels will be vital to powering the world in the future, but what will we do on days when the clouds block the sun’s rays? Energy scientists from France’s CNRS and the University of Tokyo are looking towards balloons for the answer. The scientists are developing solar panels attached to high-altitude balloons that would hypothetically float 20 kilometers above the ground, far beyond where most clouds reside. At that altitude, the direct illumination is five times more intense than on Earth, resulting in more effective energy conversion. One of the greatest appeals of these balloons is that they would be filled using hydrogen, and would be able to use that same hydrogen to store about 10 days equivalent of its own solar electricity production. Structural and installation costs have yet to be seen, but high-flying solar balloons could just provide another efficient alternative for renewable energy production.
High-altitude balloons with solar panels could produce power on cloudy days
More of Today's Solutions
Your allergies aren’t getting worse with age. The pollen season is.
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If your spring allergies feel worse than they did five years ago, there is a reason for that, ...
Read MoreWhat governments and households are being asked to do in the oil crisis
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The International Energy Agency has already done something it has never done before: ordered the largest release of ...
Read MoreCooking tip: How to remove toxins from rice but keep the nutrients
Rice is nice, but the problem with this widely-consumed food is that it’s very high in arsenic compared to most other foods. In fact, ...
Read MoreFormerly homeless guides offer unique experiences of iconic cities
In cities across the world, the streets tell stories—stories of triumph over adversity, resilience, and transformation. Invisible Cities, a breakthrough organization, transforms these stories ...
Read More
