Solar power collection apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides a solar power collection apparatus, with a plurality of Earth surface supported reflectors (heliostats) which reflect sunlight onto a solar receiver which is upheld in an elevated position by one or more tethered aerostats. Variants of the invention may be sited over land or water surfaces. The solar receiver will typically convert light energy into heat energy, which may be used directly or converted into electricity (e.g. by a steam, Brayton cycle, or Rankine cycle turbine power plant). The aerostat(s) which support the solar receiver may obtain lift from helium, hydrogen, or hot air (heated using heat from the receiver/power plant). Automatic control means may be provided for the reflectors to track motions of the aerostat supported solar receiver.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.