Prospects of inclined solar chimney concept in South Africa

Abstract

Paper presented to the 3rd Southern African Solar Energy Conference, South Africa, 11-13 May, 2015.

Solar Chimney also known as Solar Updraft Power Plant concept is successfully proven in the last few decades through many experimental and theoretical approaches. The present concept of solar chimney requires construction of a tall vertical chimney at the center of a large area, known as the collector. Construction of a tall chimney creates questions about its stability and demands elaborated engineering techniques while constructing it. The high investment cost compared to the plant efficiency and the limited heights of the chimney due to the technological constraints are considered the main disadvantages of the solar chimney plant. In order to overcome these problems, many novel concepts were proposed; One being the Inclined Solar Chimney Power Plant (ISC). ISC which is constructed along the face of a high rising mountain, on which maximum solar insolation is incident throughout the year. The chimney and the collector get merged here. This makes the structure stable, cost effective and easy for construction. The base of a mountain acting as a collector can be used further for water heating and drying agricultural products. Application of such solar technologies are very relevant for South Africa because nation experience some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world and this renewable resource holds great potential for the country. In this paper we will analyze and discuss the concept of inclined solar chimney and its prospects in South Africa, considering country’s solar resource.