Solar chimney for ventilation in Czech winter climate conditions

Abstract

The ventilation in buildings with its energy needs is becoming more and more important. A solar chimney for supporting of a natural ventilation can be an interesting way of an energy saving. Solar chimneys are still not fully recognized issue. Realizations are few and mainly they are in southern countries. This paper considers the potential of solar chimneys in Czech climate conditions during the winter time. The analysis deals with the full scale model of the solar chimney that was built at University Center for Energy Efficient Buildings in central Bohemia near Buštěhrad. The differences in behavior of the system are shown for two days in January. Days differ in a level of solar radiation, temperatures and a wind power. Results show that there is a potential for energy savings for supporting of ventilation not only at sunny days but also at windy days. During the sunny days a lot of energy can be saved extra over by air preheating.