This paper presents fundamental results for solar chimney enhancement. Solar radiation proves to be an important factor in influencing the efficiency of the solar chimney power plant, but its effects on the ambient conditions outside the system has not been considered. Using the Discrete Ordinates radiation model on the semi-transparent collector component of the two-dimensional system, the work presented in this paper simulates the velocity and temperature inside the solar chimney as the ambient temperature of air outside is varied from 307 K to 314 K. At the highest ambient temperature, results show an increase in air velocity of 0.55 m/s at ground level and 1.85 m/s at a height of 1 m along the chimney. To further investigate of this study, a simulation model to include the ambient domain is proposed as a conclusion. © 2020 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.