These Sky-High Balloons Could Generate More Power Than Solar Panels

For all the cost and efficiency improvements in solar panels in the last few years, all land-based photovoltaics have one serious Achilles Heel: performance is dependent on the weather. If clouds are in the way, even the best solar panels don't work that well. That's why Jean-François Guillemoles wants to look above the clouds. A solar researcher from France, he's proposing floating solar balloons that potentially could generate three times as much power-per-foot as their terrestrial brethren. His design would also be able to store energy as well as generate power.

http://www.fastcoexist.com