Energy Matters Forums

[Inspector]

I met up with a solar installer today who was talking about small-scale solar chimneys, where a shaft is mounted onto the ground, and the sun heats up the pipe which in turn heats the air inside it, creating upwards air currents which in turn drive a turbine in the bottom of the shaft. I think he said they only produce about 300W each, but you could put multiple units in a relatively small space.

Apparently they're going to become quite popular soon.

The only issue he mentioned was trying to limit the noise of the turbine in the bottom of the shaft - as the bottom needs to be open to allow the air in. Possibly some baffles or dampened acoustic chamber might be suitable without restricting airflow...


Here's an old article I found about it...

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/earth/ ... 381152.htm

From searching the net, large scale versions are massive (certainly look larger than wind generators) and use quite a large area of land which looks to be a collector to help with increasing air temperatures...

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_updraft_tower

[Tracker]

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Hey - The neighbours have had enough of me already..
Imagine one of these thingo's on my roof..
No - I think its not very practical...

Wonder how a small version would work as a Solar Roof-Air extractor..?http://forums.energymatters.com.au/posting.php?mode=reply&f=23&t=872&sid=85cbc127d9c202cc2850d9dbd5c16a8a#
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[solar panels]

hehe,

O my goodness that is a sight for sore eyes.

This is one problem with new technologies and renewable energies.

making it look good and appealing for the general population.

But i think it is important we test test test test we need these "solar chimneys they may change the world well probably already have.