Using a Heat Wave to Cool Off: On Solar Thermal Space Cooling

• Absorption systems use heat from the sun to separate a refrigerant fluid (e.g., water vapor) from an absorbent one (e.g., lithium bromide salt). That evaporated refrigerant is then condensed in a chiller to produce cold water. This chilled water is then pumped into coils over which indoor air is blown and cooled.


• There are single-effect and double-effect absorption systems. Double-effect systems use the heat twice in the series and are twice as efficient but require nearly twice as much heat.

• Desiccant systems use solar thermal energy to regenerate desiccants which dry out the air, thus producing a cooling effect of its own. Desiccants are typically solids and sit on a wheel (think of a steamboat's paddlewheel) that rotates into the stream of air flowing into the home. The desiccants remove the humidity, and subsequently cool that air. As the desiccants then rotate out of the incoming air, thermal energy from the solar collectors re-dries them and the process is repeated.

Renewable & Alternative Energy Resources: http://www.alternativeenergybase.com

Steven Stiles is a technology writer for CalFinder's Residential Solar Power website; an excellent resource for information on residential solar energy systems and for finding certified solar contractors nation wide.

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