Performance Analysis of a Solar Chimney Power Plant for Different Geographical Locations of Saudi Arabia

In this study, a detailed performance analysis was conducted by analysing the energy model of solar chimney power plant. The developed model was used for five locations (cities) in Saudi Arabia for a comparative study. The selected cities were Jubail (East), Arar (North), Umluj (West), Sharurah (South) and Shaqra (Central). The solar irradiation, sunshine hours, ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure was used to determine the output power, efficiency, and other performance parameters for the chosen size of plant. The data analysis showed that the highest annual average solar irradiation was at Sharurah (551W/m(2)) and the lowest for Jubail (456W/m(2)). The highest and lowest average ambient temperatures were found at Sharurah (303K) and Umluj (301K). Study reveals that annual average efficiency for Jubail is highest followed by Umluj. Furthermore, the output power, energy efficiency, variation of floor and air temperatures and pressure across turbine and chimney, variation of the mass flow rate and, the turbine inlet velocity are reported for all the months during the year for the selected five cities of Saudi Arabia.