The solar chimney is a natural draft device which uses solar radiation to provide upward momentum to the in-flowing air, thereby converting the thermal energy into kinetic energy. A study was undertaken to evaluate the performance characteristics of solar chimneys both theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, a mathematical model which was developed to study the effect of various parameters on the air temperature, air velocity, and power output of the solar chimney, is presented. Tests were conducted on a demonstration model which was designed and built for that purpose. The mathematical model presented here, was verified against experimental test results and the overall results were encouraging.