This document is the final report for activity B2, “Design guidelines” of the IEA SHC Task 65, “Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt regions”. It presents the collection of design and system integration guidelines for solar cooling projects.For this purpose, a comprehensive questionnaire was created that details various solar cooling components,design, sizing, and other sub-systems, such as heat rejection units and cold distribution systems. Data from 10case studies show the performance of solar cooling systems with varying boundary conditions. Additionally, threedifferent case studies, each with their own scope and unique characteristics, are discussed. The summary is asfollows:
• Industrial cooling offers significant opportunities for solar thermal cooling applications. Such systems canachieve a high solar fraction and thus significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to conventionalelectricity-powered chillers.
• The integration of solar PV with vapor compression chillers is an emerging solution for the decarbonizationof cooling systems. A comparative analysis considering different load and weather profiles suggests thatsolar PV cooling can result in a lower levelized cost of cooling compared to solar thermal.
• Hybrid chillers emphasize the potential of combining electrical and thermal chillers. Both simulation andpractical results indicate a significant reduction in electricity consumption when using the topping cycle ofan adsorption chiller.In summary, these case studies highlight the transformative potential of cooling solutions. As technology advancesand policies evolve, the adoption of such systems will play a critical role in shaping a greener and more energyefficient cooling future.
This is a report from SHC Task 65: Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions and work performed in Subtask B: Demonstration