Research project: Aeostat Power Generation

Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important and solar energy is one of the main sources.  However in the UK solar energy is expensive per kilowatt-hour due to the high latitude of the UK and cloud cover.  This project seeks to address these issues by exploring the feasibility of using an aerostat or tethered balloon to support a solar array above the clouds at 6 km where a threefold increase in annual insolation is expected. The guarantee of power during daylight would provide an invaluable resource for disaster areas and other geographical areas short of power.