Per Lindstrand, who crossed the Pacific in a balloon with Sir Richard Branson in 1991, said the technology could offer more efficient green power generation in remote areas. It could help in areas with high seismic activity, where maintenance of solid structures is difficult.
He told The Engineer magazine the project could cost about $20m (£12m). Several companies are experimenting with "solar updraft" technology, which is seen as preferable to flat solar panels. And Lindstrand Tech specialises in developing "lighter than air" technology.
Mr Lindstrand told the magazine there was a need, particularly from research centres based in deserts, to have a cleaner alternative to diesel and gas power, but without the fallibility associated with existing solar technology.
"The problem in this part of the world is the sand is very fine and would very quickly clog up solar panels, so you have a very big cleaning job in a place that has no water," he said.
Making the tower an inflatable structure would bring the cost of the project down dramatically, Mr Lindstrand said, saving hundreds of millions of dollars compared with similar towers made of concrete.
He told The Engineer magazine the project could cost about $20m (£12m). Several companies are experimenting with "solar updraft" technology, which is seen as preferable to flat solar panels. And Lindstrand Tech specialises in developing "lighter than air" technology.Mr Lindstrand told the magazine there was a need, particularly from research centres based in deserts, to have a cleaner alternative to diesel and gas power, but without the fallibility associated with existing solar technology.
"The problem in this part of the world is the sand is very fine and would very quickly clog up solar panels, so you have a very big cleaning job in a place that has no water," he said.
Making the tower an inflatable structure would bring the cost of the project down dramatically, Mr Lindstrand said, saving hundreds of millions of dollars compared with similar towers made of concrete.
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