An analysis for the solar chimneys has been developed, aimed particularly at a comprehensive analytical and numerical model, which describes the performance of solar chimneys. This model was developed to estimate power output of solar chimneys as well as to examine the effect of various ambient conditions and structural dimensions on the power output. Results from the mathematical model were compared with experimental results and the model was further used to predict the performance characteristics of large-scale commercial solar chimneys. The results show that the height of chimney, the factor of pressure drop at the turbine, the diameter and the optical properties of the collector are important parameters for the design of solar chimneys. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.