To obtain more accurate prediction of the annual performance of solar chimney power plants (SCPPs), a comprehensive theoretical model is developed by taking into account the hourly variation of solar radiation. The effects of the collector and chimney radii on the power output of the SCPP are analyzed, and the results reveal that a limitation on the maximum collector radius exists for the maximum attainable power output of the SCPP. Then four designs of 100 MW SCPPs with different combinations of collector and chimney radii are proposed and the most cost effective one is chosen from among the four SCPPs. The annual power output of the chosen SCPP in the Hami region is estimated at an interval of 1 h for a whole year. The results indicate that the power generation of SCPP presents obvious seasonal variation. Furthermore, the use of 14% of the unused land in the Hami region for the installation of SCPPs would satisfy the annual power requirement for the whole of the Sinkiang region. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.