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The solar chimney power plant is one method of large-scale solar energy utilization. Transient performances of the conventional solar chimney power plant (CSCPP) and sloped solar chimney power plant (SSCPP) have not been well discussed in the literature. In the present study, the full-year power capacity of the CSCPP and the SSCPPs with maximum solar radiation (MSR) angle and maximum power generation (MPG) angle were first simulated. The accumulated power generation of SSCPPs with different solar collector angles were then compared. The major factors influencing the accumulated power generation were finally discussed. It is found from the study that the SSCPP with MSR angle generates steadier power than the CSCPP and SSCPP with MPG angle throughout the year. The SSCPP with MPG angle generates higher power in the winter. The airflow temperature rise in the solar collector and the system height are the two major factors those influence the SCPP's power capacity and accumulated power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solar chimney PV/T power plant (SCPVTPP) is proposed. Mathematical models are established for the PV/T solar collector, the chimney, and the power conversion unit, respectively. Performances of the designed SCPVTPP are then simulated. The SCPVTPPs with different PV module areas are finally discussed. It is found that the PV cells hold the highest temperature in the solar collector. Temperature rise of the PV module has significant influences to its power generation. Without cooling, the PV power capacity has an average decrease of 28.71%. The contradictory influences of temperature rise and airflow cooling lead to an 11.81% decrease of the average power capacity. By adding the power generated by PVT, the total PV-related power contribution increases by 4.72%. With the increase of the solar collector ratio, the temperature rise and the wind velocity both first decrease then increase, the SCPP power productivity decreases linearly, and the PV power productivity increases linearly, whereas the PVT power productivity first increases linearly then increases superlinearly. There is a reversed solar collector ratio, exceeding which the PV generates most power. In this study, solar thermal power takes the major role when the solar PV area ratio is smaller than 0.055. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar chimney power plant (SCPP) with a long life span is a promising large-scale solar thermal utilization technology. This paper performs an economic analysis for the conventional solar chimney power plant (CSCPP) and the sloped solar chimney power plant (SSCPP) in Northwest China. Cash flows are influenced by many factors including the investment, the payback period, the inflation rate, and the sale price of solar electricity. The techno-economic analyses of the CSCPPs and SSCPPs are performed taking Lanzhou, China as a case study. The results show that the SCPP investment is influenced by both its configuration and the material price, and the SSCPP is more cost-effective than the CSCPP during the system life span. In addition, the SCPP with large power capacity holds good competitiveness with the conventional fossil fuel combustion plants. The economic evaluation of building SCPPs in Northwest China is of high significance considering the local abundant solar radiation, favorable government policy, and under-developing economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]