Performance investigation of a sloped collector solar chimney system exposed to the ambient crosswind

The sloped-collector solar chimney (SCSC) is a promising and cost-effective solution for large-scale solar energy applications, though its performance in ambient crosswinds (ACW) still needs evaluation. This research employs three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to investigate the effects of ACW, solar radiation, and collector slope angles on SCSC performance. Findings indicate that low crosswind speeds adversely affect system performance. However, a collector slope angle between 20 degrees and 30 degrees enhances updraft generation compared to conventional designs. Dimensional analysis predicts output power for large-scale applications with a 200-m chimney, similar to the Manzanares prototype. An optimal slope angle of 20 degrees can increase output power by 10 %-35 % compared to traditional systems. Furthermore, adverse crosswinds can reduce output power by 55 % at a wind speed of 12 m/s, but increasing the slope angle can recover 16 % of that power, resulting in approximately 35 kW. This research provides essential insights for optimizing large-scale SCSC design, suggesting adaptive designs that improve efficiency in various climatic conditions for solar chimney projects.