Patent ID: 7973236

Claim:
An improved photovoltaic array comprising: a support structure comprising a laminate material which encloses a lifting gas; a photovoltaic array carried by said support structure; an electro-optic shutter disposed on said photovoltaic array; a control system connected to said electro-optic shutter, said control system configured to switch said electro-optic shutter between transmissive and reflective conditions so as to control exposure of light to said photovoltaic array; a rechargeable battery connected to and receiving power from said photovoltaic array, and connected to said control system, wherein upon detection that said rechargeable battery has reached a predetermined charge level, said control system switches said electro-optic shutter between reflective and transmissive conditions; and a temperature sensor associated with at least one of said photovoltaic array and said electro-optic shutter, said temperature sensor connected to said control system, wherein said control system selectively switches portions of said electro-optic shutter between said transmissive and reflective conditions based upon input received from said temperature sensor and a current charge level of said rechargeable battery, such that at least one portion of said photovoltaic array is exposed to solar radiation and at least one second portion of said photovoltaic array is not exposed to solar radiation.