Abstract: A power generating system for supplying electrical power to an external electrical power demand load including a vertically oriented centerbody adapted to adsorb radiant solar energy; an annular enclosure around the centerbody defining a vertically extending air passage between the centerbody and the enclosure capable of transmitting radiant solar energy therethrough toward the centerbody; mirror means for directing solar radiant energy through the enclosure onto the centerbody to heat it so that the air in the air passage is heated to induce an airflow through the passage; a rotor rotatably mounted at the lower end of the air passage with a plurality of vanes operatively associated with the air passing into the lower end of the air passage to cause the rotor to rotate; electrical power generating means operatively connected to the rotor so that rotation of the rotor causes the generating means to generate electrical power for the external electrical power demand load; and fuel synthesis means selectively con