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Solar updraft tower

A solar power plant concept in which air heated in a large circular greenhouse rises up a chimney and spins a turbine. To achieve usable output, the plant requires a chimney up to a kilometre high and a greenhouse many kilometres in diameter. The greenhouse can also be used to grow heat-loving crops.

Principle of solar updraft tower. Cool air is drawn in at the edges of the greenhouse. It is heated by the sun’s rays and rises up a tall chimney by convection, spinning a turbine at the foot of the chimney. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Principle of solar updraft tower. Cool air is drawn in at the edges of the greenhouse. It is heated by the sun’s rays and rises up a tall chimney by convection, spinning a turbine at the foot of the chimney. (Source: Wikipedia.org)