Modelling of Power Output for Solar Chimney Power and Solar Panel in Malaysia

Abstract

The increasing global temperature has accelerated the adoption of renewable energy sources, which emit no carbon dioxide in contrast to conventional fossil fuels that contribute to global warming. Consequently, clean energy is now strongly advocated. One alternative method for harnessing renewable energy is the solar chimney power plant (SCPP), which utilises solar energy. This study examines the application of an SCPP and compares its simulation results with previous research conducted under Malaysian conditions at an irradiance of 1000 W/m². Furthermore, the power outputs of the SCPP and a solar panel system were compared under identical solar intensity, with the fluid velocity and mass flow rate also determined. The grid independence test (GIT) confirmed the reliability of the simulation. Conducted using ANSYS Fluent R12020 Academic version, the simulation incorporated the geographical coordinates of Malaysia and Zanjan, and employed dimensions derived from a 2010 University of Zanjan experiment. The results demonstrated a relative error of 2.0928%, which is well withinthe acceptable limit of 5%. Under a radiation input of 1000 W/m², the velocity was measured as 4.28994 m/s at the outlet boundary, 15.9238 m/s at a designated plane, and 16.1183 m/s at the turbine; the corresponding mass flow rates were 1.00318 kg/s at the outlet, 0.0207885 kg/s at the plane, and -1.00397 kg/s at the turbine. The power output was 74.585 W for the SCPP turbine compared to 17,408,700 W for the solar panel. These findings validate the study’s objectives and clearly demonstrate the distinct differences in power output between the solar chimney power plant and solar panels