Proven Technologies
StratoSolar platforms are based on proven mass produced PV technologies operating in the well understood environment of the low stratosphere at 20 km altitude. There is very little fundamental technology risk. The images below illustrate some of the very mature, well established technologies employed. Each image has a descriptive caption that is view-able by clicking. The bottom images also show our long use and understanding of the atmosphere at 20km altitude.
Mature technologies
The 550-megawatt Topaz Solar Farms has 9 million modules installed.
Operating at 20km altitude
Click on the images above for a larger image and to read the descriptive captions.
Nova Zeppelin episode
This PBS Nova episode is about Zeppelin technology during world war one, one hundred years ago. Zeppelin buoyancy came from unpressurized gas bags filled with flammable Hydrogen. Despite this, as the show documents, they proved very difficult to shoot down. The British had to invent both tracer bullets and exploding bullets to succeed. This took years. This shows the inherent safety of Hydrogen as a buoyancy gas. Advances over the last one hundred years in new materials and safe engineering practices make it even safer. Sound engineering practices to vent any leaking hydrogen and isolate or eliminate sources of ignition, like static buildup make hydrogen a very safe choice.
This PBS Nova episode is about Zeppelin technology during world war one, one hundred years ago. Zeppelin buoyancy came from unpressurized gas bags filled with flammable Hydrogen. Despite this, as the show documents, they proved very difficult to shoot down. The British had to invent both tracer bullets and exploding bullets to succeed. This took years. This shows the inherent safety of Hydrogen as a buoyancy gas. Advances over the last one hundred years in new materials and safe engineering practices make it even safer. Sound engineering practices to vent any leaking hydrogen and isolate or eliminate sources of ignition, like static buildup make hydrogen a very safe choice.