Solar chimneys are defined as low temperature solar thermal power plants, which use the atmospheric air as a working fluid, where only one part of the thermodynamic cycle within the plant is utilized. The available work potential that atmospheric air acquires while passing through the collector has been determined and analyzed. The dependence of the work potential on the air flowing into the air collector from the heat gained inside the collector, air humidity and atmospheric pressure as a function of elevation are determined. Various collector types using dry and humid air have been analyzed. The influence of various chimney heights on the air work potential are established. The possibly higher utilization factors of the available hot air work potential without the use of high solid chimneys are discussed. It has been shown that the vortex motion flowing downstream of the turbine can be maintained under pressure and can possibly take over the role of the solid structure chimney. Thus, a part of the available energy potential acquired in the collector would be used to maintain the vortex flow in the air column above the ground-level turbine. Basic conditions for the maintenance of such a vortex flow are described and compared to the tornado phenomenon. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.