Solar air-conditioning: Case study of solar absorption versus photovoltaic vapor compression systems

Due to recent research and development activities in solar-based air-conditioning systems, the GCC engineering community has been investigating alternative solutions to assess the feasibility towards adopting solar absorption refrigeration as a sustainable air-conditioning approach in hot environments. This study investigates the feasibility of two solar air-conditioning technologies, namely solar thermal absorption refrigeration and photovoltaic vapor compression technologies. Based on commercially available efficiencies of solar collectors and photovoltaic panels, this case study indicates that photovoltaic vapor compression air-conditioning systems have higher coefficient of performance and require smaller surface area when compared to solar thermal absorption refrigeration systems.