What’s a Solar Chimney?

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A solar chimney is a passive climate control feature on a structure that provides ventilation by generating an updraft to pull air through the building. The basic design can be seen in homes in desert regions of the world, even on very old structures, and is suited to other climates as well. In addition to the basic solar chimney design, it is also possible to use a modification known as a rising solar tower to generate electricity by spinning turbines with the rising current.

The basic design consists of a chimney that extends above the height of the building, with paint and glazing to encourage it to draw heat. As the fireplace heats up, it creates an updraft, pulling air up from the structure below. This ventilates the structure, promoting even circulation of air and providing some relief for the people inside. The solar fireplace often manages to maintain stable and comfortable internal temperatures even in very hot climates, and can also be a useful tool for airing particularly smelly environments such as bathrooms and kitchens.

In the case of an ascending solar tower, the design remains similar, but the chimney includes the turbines inside. As the air travels up the chimney to the outside, it spins the turbines and generates electricity. In the case of a tower designed specifically to produce electricity, an array of solar collectors underneath can provide a constant source of hot air to spin the turbines as it rises through the tower. This modification on the solar chimney is an active solar design, which works to convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

Natural ventilation is a pressing concern in any climate, and hot locations can be a particular problem. The solar chimney design is ancient, as numerous examples in archaeological sites can attest, and it is very easy to integrate into new construction or add to an existing home. People can combine it with other passive climate control measures like thick insulation to keep the air in a home at a stable temperature.

In cold climates, the solar chimney can still be a useful tool. During the summer months it cools a home, and in the winter, people can close their flues to prevent air from escaping, or open them partially to ventilate while still keeping warm air inside. Solar chimneys can also be useful for controlling humidity, as the interior of a structure will naturally become drier with ventilation and can eliminate the uncomfortable feeling of heavy, humid air. This will limit mold and mildew and keep indoor air cleaner.

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