Thermal performance of a solar chimney for natural ventilation was experimentally investigated. The experimental model was implemented on full scale and real meteorological conditions, so that experimental results will be compared with the simulation results. The results show that for a maximum irradiance of 604 W/m(2), occurring around 13:00 h on September 15th, 2007, a maximum air temperature increment of 7 degrees C was obtained through the solar chimney. Also, a volumetric air flow rate ranging from 50 to 374 m(3)/h was measured on that day. Thus, an average air flow rate of 177 m(3)/h was achieved from 0:00 h to 24:00 h. The experimental solar chimney discharge coefficient, C(d), was 0.52. This coefficient is useful to determine the mass flow rate in the solar chimney design. It was observed that the air flow rate through the solar chimney is influenced by a pressure difference between input and output, caused by thermal gradients and wind velocity, mainly. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.