Inflatable solar concentrator balloon method and apparatus

A method of collecting solar energy comprising reflecting light incident to a clear upper panel of an inflated balloon, on a receiver disposed at a focal point interior to the balloon utilizing a reflective lower panel of the balloon as shaped by a batten extending around the balloon at a point below an equator of the balloon,

• wherein the reflective lower panel is substantially flat when the balloon is not inflated in the balloon and is deformed to reflect light to the focal point when the balloon is inflated;
• providing a flexible harness around the balloon, the flexible harness is coupled to the balloon and in contact with the balloon at a plurality of contact points, the flexible harness distributes a first force on the balloon over the plurality of contact points on the balloon;
• anchoring the inflated balloon to ground through the flexible harness and a rigid positioner to support the balloon against a second force;
• wherein the rigid positioner is fixedly positioned;
• wherein the first force on the balloon is generated by a tether in response to the second force acting on the balloon;
• and
• wherein the flexible harness is under tension to resist outward forces exerted on the flexible harness by pressure from the inflated balloon.

An apparatus comprising:

• an upper elliptical film panel configured to transmit incident light;
• a reflective lower elliptical film panel configured to reflect incident light and having a circumference joined substantially to a circumference of the upper film panel;
• a batten bonded or installed onto the reflective lower panel at a circumference of between 30 and 80% of an uninflated film circumference such that inflation of the joined upper and lower film panels creates a balloon that reflects incident light transmitted through the upper film to a receiver disposed at a focal point inside the balloon, wherein the lower elliptical film panel is substantially flat when the balloon is not inflated and is deformed to reflect light to a focal point when the balloon is inflated;
• a flexible harness in contact with the balloon at a plurality of contact points, the flexible harness distributes a first force on the balloon over the plurality of contact points on the balloon;
• wherein the first force on the balloon is generated by a tether in response to a second force acting on the balloon;
• wherein the flexible harness is under tension to resist outward forces exerted on the flexible harness by pressure from the inflated balloon;
• wherein the batten is rigid, in compression, and resists inward forces;
• and
• a rigid positioner coupled to the flexible harness through the tether, the rigid positioner fixedly positioned and tethered to the balloon through the flexible harness to support the balloon against the second force.