Solar Power and Solar Towers

Additional to the better known solar energy technologies an interesting concept know as a Solar Tower may well make an entry into the Renewable Energy world. These are effectively a huge low green house with a roof that gradually tapers up to a central tower. The effect of warm air rising up through the tower is so substantial that wind turbines can be installed to extract this concentrated solar wind.

A 50kW prototype Solar Tower plant was constructed and successfully operated in Manzanares, Spain, 1982 and prototype operated for seven years. Data from this experiment has encouraged a truly massive 200MW version to be considered in Australia.

Solar Chimney Prototype at Manzanares, Spain
Copyright: Schlaich Bergermann und Partner; Structural Consulting Engineers; Stuttgart