Experimental investigation of a solar chimney power plant and its numerical verification of thermo-physical flow parameters for performance enhancement

•A small-scale Solar Chimney Power Plant (SCPP) setup is fabricated, and the experimental results are verified numerically.•Thermo-flow physics analysis inside the SCPP is carried out exhaustively. It reveals a reverse flow feature if the dimensions are not selected properly. An increase in flowing air temperature does not always assist the velocity rise if reverse flow phenomenon exists.•Optimum air inlet height is different for dissimilar SCPPs. Optimum inlet height is calculated numerically based on maximum velocity, and mass flow rate.•Mathematical correlations are developed to determine the optimum air inlet height for any small-scale SCPP, and its corresponding maximum velocity.•The concept of this study will improve the knowledge pool in the area of SCPP, and it will provide necessary design input from application point of view.