A solar tower or solar chimney is a renewable-energy power plant. Air heated by the sun travels up a tower and drives turbines that generate electricity.
EnviroMission is planning to build one in Australia. If built, it will become the tallest structure in the world, with a height of one kilometer.
The term solar tower also refers to structures used to support equipment for studying the sun. Examples are the Mount Wilson 150ft and 60 ft towers. The 60 ft tower is used to study helioseismology.
The term solar tower can also be used to refer to other structures used for experimental purposes, such as the (STACEE) Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment which is being used to study Cherenkov radiation, and the Weizmann Institute solar power tower.