Cool Earth Solar uses a reflective coating on the inner surface of a balloon to focus sunlight onto a solar cell:

Link (http://www.coolearthsolar.com/technology)

It makes for a nice, self contained, light weight concentrate photo voltaic (CPV) system.

Cool. On first glance it seems to have many advantages. One of the problems I've always been concerned with are all the support materials needed for PV and the associated costs. I wonder about the durability of the materials they are considering, both mechanical and optical.

The major problem is the wind. It is so lightweight that it will simply be blown away even by 10 mph wind, and for the large surface area, it is going to require expensive infrastructure to hold against winds of over 70 mph, which for example, occur at least 3 times a year in our area.

The article states the system can withstand 125 mph wind. Uh, that would rip out most trees. There would be a lot of debris whipping around at that speed ..... dangerous for balloons. Anyhow, that sounds plenty strong. If a Hurricane or Twister is headed your way, you have plenty of other problems to worry about. I doubt most "solar" farms with conventional PV could withstand 125 mph. No info on what amount of power each module would actually produce. I have room for a couple when they go on sale. :)

I suspect that these items are hard fixed in place. They aren't suggesting that you fill them with helium and float them. They just use air pressure to create the reflective shape.

I imagine this inflatible reflector still must attach to some tracking system, and its curved shape simply helps the wind flow around it when stowed.