Solar cooling
Solar heat can be used to run solar cooling equipment in order to generate cost-free air conditioning for a property. Solar cooling is a proven technology that can be combined with a gas or oil furnace as a backup.
There are many different principles that are used to generate solar cooling from heat, but one rule is that the processes become more efficient at higher temperatures. At 80°C, 1 kWh of heat can generate 0.7 kWh of cooling. At 160 degree Celsius, 1 kWh of heat can generate 1.6 kWh of cooling. Lower temperatures often work best in smaller systems, whereas large cooling systems should work at higher temperatures.
Cooling processes become more efficient at higher temperatures.
Solar cooling system generates cooling and a large amount of warm water at 35°C. This can be used to heat the pool at a hotel or to preheat the hot water in a home. The heat can also be cooled down using a cooling tower.
Three examples of solar cooling:
- Solar cooling for production of household chemicals.
- Solar cooling in diary industry
- Solar cooling can also be applied in district heating.
Chemical industry
After mixing the chemical, the product needs to be cooled before it can be filled in bottle for sales. A solar powered absorption chiller can provide the necessary cooling. Waste heat from the chiller can be used in the processes.
Diary industry
To preserve the milk and the products like yoghurt, ice-cream and cream, cold storage is necessary. A solar thermal system can provide both heat for the processes and cold storage for the milk products.
District heating
Many buildings need air condition and instead of using electric units in each room, a heat powered central chiller is more efficient.
