Abstract
Solar energy is the most abundant energy source on earth. This paper suggests a new concept of solar collection that prints the solar cells directly onto a spherical surface, or a balloon. The energy collection efficiency of such a spherical surface is analyzed and compared with a conventional flat-panel collector. An experimental apparatus is built to test the solar energy reception from all directions, including the scattering and reflections from various terrain. The results show that the usage of spherical collectors such as solar balloons is a viable approach.
Highlights
The Sun is the main energy source of the Earth
Photovoltaic (PV) based solar panels have been in the commercial-use phase for some time and are available in hardware stores
The history of PV module development started with rigid silicon solar cells
Summary
The Sun is the main energy source of the Earth. All fossil fuels used today are indirect forms of solar energy. One example of a solar collector is the solar turbine suggested by Papageorgiou—using a floating “solar chimney” to generate hot air and drive a turbine [5] Another concept has been developed by Cool Earth Solar [6] that uses a large balloon with one side clear so that the sunray can enter the shiny inside of the balloon serving as a mirror that focuses the solar energy to a photovoltaic cell, generating electric power. This paper suggests a new concept of solar collector that wraps solar cells around a balloon, or “prints” the solar cells directly on a surface of the balloon This approach increases the areas of solar energy collection efficiency, compared with the solar balloon concepts discussed above. The advantages of a spherical-surface solar energy collector are summarized in the conclusion
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