First analysis of a novel design of a solar chimney with absorber elements distributed in the air channel

•A new solar chimney with arrays of cylindrical absorber elements in the air channel is proposed.•Cylinders greatly increase both solar energy absorbing surface and convection coefficient.•Thermal efficiency and air flow rate have been calculated for different solar height values.•Heat transfer by convection and by radiation have both been accurately considered.•The proposed system involves thermal efficiency up to 62%, higher than the traditional one.