Cool Earth Solar eyes rural power with balloons
In the next two weeks, [Cool Earth Solar] plans to start testing a prototype solar plant built around rows of reflective balloons hung on poles. (...) combin[ing] cheap building materials, notably plastics, with expensive high-efficiency solar cells. Light goes through the side of the balloon facing the sun, is reflected on an aluminum coating on the bottom, and is concentrated onto solar cells in a "receiver." (...) The method can concentrate light between 300 and 400 times. To keep heat under control, the balloons have an automated water-cooling system.