Comments on: Solar Balloons Get $21 Million In Funding http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding The Guide To Highly Efficient Things Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:40:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Rocket http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html/comment-page-1#comment-24169 Rocket Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:03:08 +0000 http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html#comment-24169 I think this is a great alternative to mirrors and glass. Re: Ugly American in the electronic world heat is a byproduct of energy and heat is resistance which prevents electricity from being conducted efficiently. IN the case of micro electronics such as photovoltaic cells and computer processors, the smaller the electronics, the more harmful heat becomes. I like the idea of water being used to remove the excess heat (I wouldn't call it waste heat as it is usable heat, its only wasted by the user not finding a use for it), and even more like the idea of using the water that is transferring the heat away for something useful. As John B mentioned I see maintenance and repair costs that could outweigh the materials cost savings. such as air expansion in the balloon eventually cause the plastic to weaken and break, as well as UV deterioration on the plastic, as well as plastic not being biodegradable when no longer usable. I think there is room for a lot more improvement for this application. I think this is a great alternative to mirrors and glass.

Re: Ugly American in the electronic world heat is a byproduct of energy and heat is resistance which prevents electricity from being conducted efficiently. IN the case of micro electronics such as photovoltaic cells and computer processors, the smaller the electronics, the more harmful heat becomes.

I like the idea of water being used to remove the excess heat (I wouldn’t call it waste heat as it is usable heat, its only wasted by the user not finding a use for it), and even more like the idea of using the water that is transferring the heat away for something useful.

As John B mentioned I see maintenance and repair costs that could outweigh the materials cost savings. such as air expansion in the balloon eventually cause the plastic to weaken and break, as well as UV deterioration on the plastic, as well as plastic not being biodegradable when no longer usable.

I think there is room for a lot more improvement for this application.

]]> By: Ray The Money Man http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html/comment-page-1#comment-23371 Ray The Money Man Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:31:27 +0000 http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html#comment-23371 I suspect technologies like this are going to make field's of PV panels obsolete. But is it enough? I suspect technologies like this are going to make field’s of PV panels obsolete. But is it enough?

]]> By: curt http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html/comment-page-1#comment-8858 curt Thu, 01 May 2008 16:12:30 +0000 http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html#comment-8858 At least another brand new approach, which could bring some new positive facts and experiences to the 'department' of renewable energy. It is not suitable for all situations, but why should it be? At least another brand new approach, which could bring some new positive facts and experiences to the ‘department’ of renewable energy. It is not suitable for all situations, but why should it be?

]]> By: Ugly American http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html/comment-page-1#comment-6105 Ugly American Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:34:09 +0000 http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html#comment-6105 "we actively water cool our photovoltaic cells to remove waste heat " Heat = Energy Thermal Solar beats PV for any large stationary install. It's cheaper and the energy yield is higher. “we actively water cool our photovoltaic cells to remove waste heat ”

Heat = Energy

Thermal Solar beats PV for any large stationary install. It’s cheaper and the energy yield is higher.

]]> By: Jeff R http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html/comment-page-1#comment-5201 Jeff R Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:44:27 +0000 http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html#comment-5201 The whole point of this approach, which you didn't mention but which is on the company's site, isn't that this is higher performing or more durable (it's neither) than most other approaches, but that it's much less materials intensive, and therefore much cheaper per watt. Almost all the design decisions have to do reducing materials cost. For example, I'm not crazy about all those guy wires from an aesthetic point of view, but it makes more sense than a big heavy mounting apparatus from a materials point of view. Solar needs to get cheaper more than anything, and these guys are trying to do that with their less is more approach. The whole point of this approach, which you didn’t mention but which is on the company’s site, isn’t that this is higher performing or more durable (it’s neither) than most other approaches, but that it’s much less materials intensive, and therefore much cheaper per watt. Almost all the design decisions have to do reducing materials cost. For example, I’m not crazy about all those guy wires from an aesthetic point of view, but it makes more sense than a big heavy mounting apparatus from a materials point of view. Solar needs to get cheaper more than anything, and these guys are trying to do that with their less is more approach.

]]> By: John B http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html/comment-page-1#comment-5123 John B Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:30:25 +0000 http://www.metaefficient.com/news/solar-balloons-get-21-million-in-funding.html#comment-5123 Problems: Air leakage UV wear on both mylar and clear plastic barometric and temp changes... How clear is that plastic? What kind of plastic? Is it recyclable? Why raise it up with that stand? Problems:
Air leakage
UV wear on both mylar and clear plastic
barometric and temp changes…
How clear is that plastic? What kind of plastic? Is it recyclable?
Why raise it up with that stand?

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