Estimation of levelized electricity cost of solar chimney power plant in India by using approximate cost model of Pretorius and Kroger

This paper presents calculation of capital cost of solar chimney power plant of different capacities from 5 MW to 200 MW in India using approximate cost formula given by Pretorius and Kroger. The specific cost (Csc) of the chimney defined by Pretorius and Kroger is considered to estimate the approximate cost of SCPP using the cost model of Pretorius and Kroger. It is assumed that the average chimney thickness increment is 1 mm for every one meter height of the chimney. Using volume of material used for chimney and specific chimney cost capital cost of chimney is calculated. The collector cost was expressed in terms of specific chimney cost, height of the chimney, inlet height of the collector and the diameter of the collector. Energy conversion machinery cost is taken as a 10% of the sum of collector and chimney cost. For different plant capacities ranging from 5 MW to 200 MW, capital cost varies from Rs. 75.51 Cr to Rs. 1848.43 Cr and LEC is estimated as Rs. 4.22/kWh to Rs. 2.58/kWh under Indian conditions.