slide 1: Solar Energy Collection using Spherical Sun
Power Generator.
Abstract: This paper suggests a new concept of solar collection that prints the solar cells directly onto a spherical surface
or a balloon. It can be used for substitution of the depleting of fossil fuels in thermal applications and electricity generation
through thermal route. Usually the concentrated solar power means focusing the suns energy from a large area into a
smaller area which generates a lot of heat that can be used to produce electricity. Solar power is the conversion of
sunlight into electricity either directly using photovoltaic PV or indirectly using concentrated solar power CSP.
Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small
beam. Photovoltaic convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect.
Keywords: Spherical surface electricity photovoltaic concentrated solar power.
I. INTRODUCTION
SPHERICAL SUN POWER GENERATOR
The Sun is the main energy source of the Earth. All fossil fuels used today are indirect forms of solar energy. Most of
the renewable energy sources such as winds and ocean waves also exist because of the sun.
Therefore collecting energy directly from the sun is an intuitive approach. Currently photovoltaic PV based solar
module development started with rigid silicon solar cells. Therefore flat-panel type solar energy collectors have their
technology advantages in manufacturing and installation.
However in city or residential areas the flat-panel solar collector has its limitations. For examples the solar panels
should always face true south if they are in the northern hemisphere. But the space for an ideal installation may not
always be available. Even if they can face the right direction nearby higher buildings may block the sunrays from that
direction. Additionally the sun‘s angles in the sky vary according to the days in the year and the inclination of the panel
can only be made optimal in certain times during the year. To most solar collectors the sun-tracking system is too
expensive and impractical and some cannot even adjust their inclinations manually.
A new idea can solve the above problems: forming the solar cells onto a spherical thin shell and enveloping it around a
balloon. When the balloon is raised to a certain height it will not be blocked by the surrounding buildings and can
receive the sunrays from all directions in all seasons. The term ―solar balloon‖ has two different meanings. One is a
balloon that absorbs solar energy to heat the air inside the balloon and increase its buoyancy. It is just one type of
thehot-air balloons and it has a long history. Recently its usage has been expanded to space missions
The second definition of solar balloon refers to a balloon that is used to collect solar energy for other applications.
This type of balloon is also called a ―solar collector‖. 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
Another concept has been developed by Cool Earth Solar 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 thus
generating electric power.
II. OVERVIEW
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources-such as sunlight wind rain tides and geothermal heat-
which are renewable naturally replenished. Renewable energy technologies range from solar power wind power
hydroelectricity/micro hydro biomass and biofuels for transportation.
slide 2: III. SPHERICAL SUN POWER GENERATOR
Fig.1 Structure of Spherical Sun Power Generator
1.Concept
Spherical sun power generator is the recent technique employed using solar energy. German Architect Andre
Broessel believes that he ‗can squeeze more juice out of the Sun‘. Even during night hours and in low light regions
resulting in the creation of this new type generator.
Combines spherical geometry principle with dual axis tracking system. Allowing twice yield of conventional.
Fully rotational and suitable for inclined surfaces walls.
2. Advantages of Spherical Shape
Larger Exposition to the Sun Rays: As power plant has spherical shape its larger area is always exposed to sun rays.
Due to this large amount of electricity can be produced leading to maximum use of power plant. Also this leads to proper
utilization of equipments. Due to this maintenance cost of power plant is reduced comparatively as power plant with
other shape.
Gravitation Inside: Due to the continuous periodic rotation of solar power plant gravitation inside it can be maintained
much effectively. The main advantage for spinning of power plant is to create gravitation inside it.
3.Structure
The typical structure of Spherical Sun Power Generator is shown in Fig.1. According to the designer the transparent
sphere is able collect and concentrate diffuse where traditional devices cannot and as well as providing an efficiency
boost they can be used in far more locations than their flat fixed counterparts. Its also claimed that by concentrating the
sun‘s light in one area which reduces the solar cell surface required to just 1 percent of that required by a traditional
panel.
4.Working
The working of Spherical Sun Power Generator is shown in Fig.2.
Fig.2Working of Spherical Sun Power Generator
slide 3: The beta Ray comes with a hybrid collector to convert daily electricity and thermal energy at the same time. While
reducing the silicon cell area to 25 with the equivalent power output by using our ultra-transmission Ball Lens point
focusing sun solar panels tend to be aesthetically uninspiring.
Fig.3Working of Spherical Sun Power Generator
5. Special Features
• Designed for off-grid conditions as well as to supplement building‘s consumption of electricity
• Modular collector system charges and stores energy during daylight hours
• Can even collect energy from the moon during night hours
• Suitable anywhere with access to the sky
• Multi Junction Cells are used-making suitable for different wavelength
• Size of Solar Panel is reduced. Independent of the position the Sun.
6. Advantages
Effective use of Solar Energy. Efficiency more than 75.
7. Disadvantages
• Cost of Lens is high
• Materials required to design will be more.
8. Applications
Can even be used as an electric car charging station Motors are operated using electrical energy stored in the
Rechargeable batteries.
Cost of this project
Materials prices USD
• Power spherical lens 3000.00
• All power units 2500.00
• Battery pack 500.00
Total 6000.00
This cost in Sri Lankan Rs.990000.00
slide 4: IV. CONCLUSION
Based on the above analysis the following conclusions can be reached:
1. Due to the seasonal changes of the sun position in the sky and only a shorter time in a day that the flat-panel
collector can see the sun the advantage of the flat-panel collector is not that much.
2. The back-side of the spherical surface can collect significant amount of scattered radiation and reflected solar
energy that makes it as efficient as the flat panel without occlusion.
3. Considering the occlusion factor the spherical-surface collector can be the better choice in certain situations.
Besides the efficiency consideration the balloons coated with the PV solar collectors have other features that make them
attractive.
REFERENCES
1.Russell J. De Young ―Second Beamed Space-Power Workshop‖ Proceedings of a workshop sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration and held at NASA Langley Research Center Hampton Virginia February 28-March 2 1989 8 Glaser
2.J. Jones J. Wu. Solar Montgolfiere balloons for Mars. International Balloon Technology Conference. Paper No. AIAA-99-3852 1999.
3.G. AliasiG. Mengali A.Quarta. Passive control feasibility of collinear equilibrium points with solar balloons. Journal of Guidance Control and
Dynamics. 2012355:1657 - 61.
4.OnlineAvailable:http://www.causecast.com/blog/bid/146786/CoolSolar-Earth-Balloon-Helps-Green-Energy-Soar sustainably www.mnre.gov.in
www.altenergy.org
Chandu Nishshanka Weerasinghe
3
rd
Mill post
Near The Temple
Mahagoda
Karandeniya
Sri Lanka.
Email: cnweerasinghe41gmail.com
Mobile:07127661680755447504
slide 5: Solar Energy Collection using Spherical Sun
Power Generator Project Proposal.
Chandu Nishshanka Weerasinghe
3
rd
Mill post
Near The Temple
Mahagoda
Karandeniya
Sri Lanka.
Email: cnweerasinghe41gmail.com
Mobile:07127661680755447504