1,250-MW Solar Chimney Uses Heated Downdraft to Drive Turbines

Solar Wind Energy, Inc. is planning a 1,250-megawatt, chimney-style installation in San Luis, Arizona that will use solar-heated air to create a downdraft to drive turbines at the chimney’s base. “Solar towers, or chimneys as some call them, are low-tech, Fiakas writes. “The power conversion rate is much lower than other solar thermal designs, such as the solar collectors now operating in California and other areas. However, low cost per solar collector area helps offset the low conversion rate.”