Fonctionnement - Solar chimney

How does it work ?

Thanks to the energy of the Sun, the cold air (1) which enters the greenhouse (2) is heated (greenhouse effect) and climbs up the chimney.

On its way to the top of the chimney this airflow rotates the turbine (3).

In real plants, the turbine would operate a generator (dynamo) to produce electricity.

If you use your solar chimney outside, the air currents tend to rotate the turbine even without sun. It is then difficult to highlight the hot air circulation phenomenon. It is therefore better to place the model sheltered from the wind, ideally in a room behind a window.

Check that the turbine spins freely. To check, blow lightly from the top of the chimney, the turbine should rotate.

The transparent plastic window in front of the turbine must always be well sealed.

To help the turbine start moving it is sometimes necessary to slightly vibrate it (for instance by tapping lightly the top of the chimney with a teaspoon).

The openings on the sides are there to regulate the inlet air.