|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | | | |
| | = Overview<br/> = | | = Overview<br/> = |
| − |
| |
| | Why solar cooling? In many countries, especially in developing countries in the South, with increasing economic development and population growth, demand for cooling is increasing rapidly (e.g. ric Arab Countries - 75% of installed poer is used for sooling). Often, this additional electricity load puts further stress on the mostly already shaky grids in these countries, leading to further power cuts. | | Why solar cooling? In many countries, especially in developing countries in the South, with increasing economic development and population growth, demand for cooling is increasing rapidly (e.g. ric Arab Countries - 75% of installed poer is used for sooling). Often, this additional electricity load puts further stress on the mostly already shaky grids in these countries, leading to further power cuts. |
| | | | |
| Line 9: |
Line 8: |
| | | | |
| | <u>The main arguments for '''solar assisted cooling (SAC)''' originate from an energy saving perspective:</u> | | <u>The main arguments for '''solar assisted cooling (SAC)''' originate from an energy saving perspective:</u> |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Application of SAC saves electricity and thus conventional primary energy sources | | *Application of SAC saves electricity and thus conventional primary energy sources |
| | *SAC also leads to a reduction of peak electricity demand this can benefit the electricity network and lead to additional cost savings of the most expensive peak electricity (if applied on a broad scale) | | *SAC also leads to a reduction of peak electricity demand this can benefit the electricity network and lead to additional cost savings of the most expensive peak electricity (if applied on a broad scale) |
| | *environmentally sound materials without ozone depletion and no (or very small) global warming potential are used with SAC | | *environmentally sound materials without ozone depletion and no (or very small) global warming potential are used with SAC |
| | *Coincide of solar energy supply and demand in many cases - when it is the hottest and most cooling is demanded, usually the most sun is shining as well. | | *Coincide of solar energy supply and demand in many cases - when it is the hottest and most cooling is demanded, usually the most sun is shining as well. |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | = Applications<br/> =
| |
| | | | |
| | + | = Applications<br/> = |
| | <u>Solar assistes cooling can be broadly split up in two main applications, depending on the targeted temperature range:</u> | | <u>Solar assistes cooling can be broadly split up in two main applications, depending on the targeted temperature range:</u> |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *air conditioning – temperature range of 5-20°C | | *air conditioning – temperature range of 5-20°C |
| | *refrigeration – temperature range of -20°C to +5°C | | *refrigeration – temperature range of -20°C to +5°C |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | = State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning <ref>Henning, H. (2010) :Solar Air-conditioning and refrigeration. Achievements and challenges. Fraunhofer ISE. Presented at EuroSun 2010. Graz.</ref><ref> https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf </ref><br/> =
| |
| | | | |
| | + | = State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning <ref>Henning, H. (2010) :Solar Air-conditioning and refrigeration. Achievements and challenges. Fraunhofer ISE. Presented at EuroSun 2010. Graz.</ref><ref> https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf </ref><br/> = |
| | Despite intensive research over the past decade,SAC has still reached only a very small market penetration. Yet, a well established SAC research society and scientific field are working on further market development.<ref>https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf</ref> | | Despite intensive research over the past decade,SAC has still reached only a very small market penetration. Yet, a well established SAC research society and scientific field are working on further market development.<ref>https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf</ref> |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Close to 1.000 SAC systems installed worldwide | | *Close to 1.000 SAC systems installed worldwide |
| | *Huge variety in sizes and technologies | | *Huge variety in sizes and technologies |
| Line 40: |
Line 43: |
| | *Cost reduction expected with increasing standardization, economies of scale and upcoming specialized incentive schemes (e.g. France) | | *Cost reduction expected with increasing standardization, economies of scale and upcoming specialized incentive schemes (e.g. France) |
| | *Could take off in the coming years with increasing energy prices and further experiences in hotter climates (higher irradiation, higher cooling loads) | | *Could take off in the coming years with increasing energy prices and further experiences in hotter climates (higher irradiation, higher cooling loads) |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | == Major Challenges<br/> ==
| |
| | | | |
| | + | == Major Challenges<br/> == |
| | A range of challenges exist why solar cooling has not taken off so far. In many cases, it is a combination of different issues. | | A range of challenges exist why solar cooling has not taken off so far. In many cases, it is a combination of different issues. |
| | | | |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | === Technology<br/> ===
| |
| | | | |
| | + | === Technology<br/> === |
| | Still, most of the issues are related to the technology. One of the main problems beeing that there is not one single solution and experiences with new applications are collected constantly | | Still, most of the issues are related to the technology. One of the main problems beeing that there is not one single solution and experiences with new applications are collected constantly |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Small capacity VAM units under development, expensive | | *Small capacity VAM units under development, expensive |
| | *Few suppliers for adsorption and desiccant systems | | *Few suppliers for adsorption and desiccant systems |
| Line 67: |
Line 71: |
| | *System integration and energy management inadequate – combination of subsystems and skills | | *System integration and energy management inadequate – combination of subsystems and skills |
| | *Experience in design, control and system operation lacking | | *Experience in design, control and system operation lacking |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| | === Cost<br/> === | | === Cost<br/> === |
| Line 78: |
Line 82: |
| | *Unfavorable finance environment | | *Unfavorable finance environment |
| | *Financial incentive scheme not explicitly designed to fulfill special SAC needs, often same as solar thermal for heating, if any | | *Financial incentive scheme not explicitly designed to fulfill special SAC needs, often same as solar thermal for heating, if any |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| | === Policy<br/> === | | === Policy<br/> === |
| Line 85: |
Line 89: |
| | *Cooling mostly not yet part of policy target and strategies | | *Cooling mostly not yet part of policy target and strategies |
| | *Regulatory measures needed | | *Regulatory measures needed |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| | === Awareness<br/> === | | === Awareness<br/> === |
| Line 92: |
Line 96: |
| | *Lacking knowledge and practical experience of architects, planners and builders | | *Lacking knowledge and practical experience of architects, planners and builders |
| | *Lacking (large-scale) experiences and showcases for replication | | *Lacking (large-scale) experiences and showcases for replication |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | == [[Solar_Thermal_Technologies|Solar Thermal]] vs. [[Photovoltaic_(PV)|Photovoltaic (PV)]]<br/> ==
| |
| | | | |
| | + | == [[Solar Thermal Technologies|Solar Thermal]] vs. [[Photovoltaic (PV)|Photovoltaic (PV)]]<br/> == |
| | New discussion due to decreasing PV prices. Could it be more economical to run vapour compression chiller with a PV module than operating solar thermally powered chillers? | | New discussion due to decreasing PV prices. Could it be more economical to run vapour compression chiller with a PV module than operating solar thermally powered chillers? |
| | | | |
| | <u>The discussion is still going on, there is no clear answer yet available to this question as the answer depends o a range of different thinkable boundary:</u> | | <u>The discussion is still going on, there is no clear answer yet available to this question as the answer depends o a range of different thinkable boundary:</u> |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *First examples of competitive installations – e.g. Cyprus (very high electricity price) | | *First examples of competitive installations – e.g. Cyprus (very high electricity price) |
| | *Maybe suitable alternative in some cases | | *Maybe suitable alternative in some cases |
| Line 114: |
Line 119: |
| | *lower efficiency of PV modules in hot climates but lower maintenance (e.g.) | | *lower efficiency of PV modules in hot climates but lower maintenance (e.g.) |
| | *Energetically PV less ideal than thermal | | *Energetically PV less ideal than thermal |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | = Country Experiences<br/> =
| |
| | | | |
| − | == Solar Cooling in [[India_Energy_Situation#Solar_Energy|India]]<br/> == | + | = Country Experiences<br/> = |
| | | | |
| | + | == Solar Cooling in [[India Energy Situation#Solar Energy|India]]<br/> == |
| | In India, boundary conditions for solar cooling are very favourable: there is more irradiation and at the same time more cooling degree days than in areas where most systems so far have been installed (e.g. USA, MENA, South Europa) - but partly in some regions the climate is also more humid which asks for adapted systems'''<ref>Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384</ref>''' | | In India, boundary conditions for solar cooling are very favourable: there is more irradiation and at the same time more cooling degree days than in areas where most systems so far have been installed (e.g. USA, MENA, South Europa) - but partly in some regions the climate is also more humid which asks for adapted systems'''<ref>Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384</ref>''' |
| | | | |
| Line 132: |
Line 136: |
| | | | |
| | <br/>'''Residential sector – great future challenge''' | | <br/>'''Residential sector – great future challenge''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Penetration level for A/C < 1% only and switch from air evaporation systems expected <ref>DSCL Energy Services Company Ltd. (2010): Trigeneration in India Market Assessment Study .Trigeneration Technology within the Indian Building Sector . Berliner Energieagentur GmbH (editor). Commissioned by GTZ.</ref> | | *Penetration level for A/C < 1% only and switch from air evaporation systems expected <ref>DSCL Energy Services Company Ltd. (2010): Trigeneration in India Market Assessment Study .Trigeneration Technology within the Indian Building Sector . Berliner Energieagentur GmbH (editor). Commissioned by GTZ.</ref> |
| | *Lacking affordabel, small scale renewable technologies | | *Lacking affordabel, small scale renewable technologies |
| | *Highest load in non-sunshine hours -> no coincide of supply and demand, challenge of storage | | *Highest load in non-sunshine hours -> no coincide of supply and demand, challenge of storage |
| | * | | * |
| − |
| |
| | '''Industrial and commercial sector – short and medium term market''' | | '''Industrial and commercial sector – short and medium term market''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Larger central systems in place already – solar technologies available for these sizes | | *Larger central systems in place already – solar technologies available for these sizes |
| | *often coincide of loads and solar gains | | *often coincide of loads and solar gains |
| | * | | * |
| − |
| |
| | '''Solar Cold Storage''' | | '''Solar Cold Storage''' |
| − | *India is looking for cold storages for a range of applications: fishing, agricultural produce, milk and dairy products etc. as vast part of rural areas still lack access to grid electricity. Currently TERI is working on a combined solution, a [http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=com_ongoing&task=about_project&sid=114, http://www.inive.org/members_area/medias/pdf/inive/clima2000/1997/p301.pdf biomas-solar-hybrid-electricity grid with cold storage], yet this project is still at a pilot phase.
| |
| | | | |
| | + | |
| | + | *India is looking for cold storages for a range of applications: fishing, agricultural produce, milk and dairy products etc. as vast part of rural areas still lack access to grid electricity. Currently TERI is working on a combined solution, a [http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=com_ongoing&task=about_project&sid=114, http://www.inive.org/members_area/medias/pdf/inive/clima2000/1997/p301.pdf biomas-solar-hybrid-electricity grid with cold storage], yet this project is still at a pilot phase. |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | === Experiences<br/> ===
| |
| | | | |
| | + | === Experiences<br/> === |
| | The '''Ministry of New and Renewable Energe (MNRE)''' proposed an [http://www.aprekh.org/files/A_K_Singhal.pdf Action Plan on Solar Cooling]in 2009, together with the establishment of a working group on solar cooling. However, the plan has not been followed. There are no updates and the working group is not active anymore. | | The '''Ministry of New and Renewable Energe (MNRE)''' proposed an [http://www.aprekh.org/files/A_K_Singhal.pdf Action Plan on Solar Cooling]in 2009, together with the establishment of a working group on solar cooling. However, the plan has not been followed. There are no updates and the working group is not active anymore. |
| | | | |
| Line 156: |
Line 163: |
| | | | |
| | So far, a hand full of projects has been realised (around 10), mostly R&D and some private (non commercial/green) initiatives are in place, using concentrated solar collectors + VAM | | So far, a hand full of projects has been realised (around 10), mostly R&D and some private (non commercial/green) initiatives are in place, using concentrated solar collectors + VAM |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Solar Energy Center, TERI, IITs,… | | *Solar Energy Center, TERI, IITs,… |
| | *Thermax (3-effect VAM with COP of 1.7-1.8)<ref>http://www.commodityonline.com/news/india-tech-breakthrough-in-solar-thermal-cooling-system-40460-3-1.html</ref>, Baskara Solar, Gadhia Solar<ref>http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1028 </ref>,.. | | *Thermax (3-effect VAM with COP of 1.7-1.8)<ref>http://www.commodityonline.com/news/india-tech-breakthrough-in-solar-thermal-cooling-system-40460-3-1.html</ref>, Baskara Solar, Gadhia Solar<ref>http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1028 </ref>,.. |
| Line 162: |
Line 171: |
| | *So far no coherent strategic approach, lacking knowledge sharing | | *So far no coherent strategic approach, lacking knowledge sharing |
| | *R&D for solid and liquid dessicant systems | | *R&D for solid and liquid dessicant systems |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''Economics''' | | '''Economics''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Investment costs 3x higher than conventional systems | | *Investment costs 3x higher than conventional systems |
| | *High capital investment and long payback periods (> 7 years) highest drawback | | *High capital investment and long payback periods (> 7 years) highest drawback |
| Line 173: |
Line 183: |
| | *Costs for chillers and solar components are decreasing | | *Costs for chillers and solar components are decreasing |
| | *Energy demand for control system and backup not to be underestaimated | | *Energy demand for control system and backup not to be underestaimated |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''Reliability of system and back-up storage''' | | '''Reliability of system and back-up storage''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *as the main selling argument for SAC in India is the increased reliability an independence from the grid, a reliable system is key | | *as the main selling argument for SAC in India is the increased reliability an independence from the grid, a reliable system is key |
| | *Improving quality of chillers and solar components, but still an issue | | *Improving quality of chillers and solar components, but still an issue |
| Line 183: |
Line 194: |
| | *Variation in irradiation and diffiulty of prediction - dynamic system needed | | *Variation in irradiation and diffiulty of prediction - dynamic system needed |
| | *Standardization of storage (cold and heat) necessary | | *Standardization of storage (cold and heat) necessary |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''System Design''' | | '''System Design''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *System design, integration and optimization prove difficult | | *System design, integration and optimization prove difficult |
| | *maintenance is a great issue | | *maintenance is a great issue |
| Line 192: |
Line 204: |
| | *Space availability for solar collectors and cooling towers is a challenge | | *Space availability for solar collectors and cooling towers is a challenge |
| | *High humidity and water scarcity – find suitable technologies | | *High humidity and water scarcity – find suitable technologies |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''Collectors''' | | '''Collectors''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Concentrating collectors (for higher temperature applications) face difficulties at the moment because of high fraction of diffuce radiation (dust, cloud coverage) in some regions | | *Concentrating collectors (for higher temperature applications) face difficulties at the moment because of high fraction of diffuce radiation (dust, cloud coverage) in some regions |
| | *Used as locally produced but also more expensive than flat plate/evacuated tube | | *Used as locally produced but also more expensive than flat plate/evacuated tube |
| Line 204: |
Line 217: |
| | *Evacuated heat pipes not produced in India | | *Evacuated heat pipes not produced in India |
| | *Efficiency of solar equipment needs to be improved | | *Efficiency of solar equipment needs to be improved |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | = Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling<ref>http://www.estif.org/fileadmin/estif/content/policies/downloads/D23-solar-assisted-cooling.pdf </ref><ref>https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf </ref><br/> =
| |
| | | | |
| | + | = Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling<ref>http://www.estif.org/fileadmin/estif/content/policies/downloads/D23-solar-assisted-cooling.pdf </ref><ref>https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf </ref><br/> = |
| | '''Training and awareness raising''' | | '''Training and awareness raising''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Work with associated associations (solar thermal, chiller manufacturers, society of engineers, architects, etc.) with regards to cooling | | *Work with associated associations (solar thermal, chiller manufacturers, society of engineers, architects, etc.) with regards to cooling |
| | *establish a Technical working group on solar cooling with regular meetings | | *establish a Technical working group on solar cooling with regular meetings |
| Line 217: |
Line 231: |
| | *Capacity development of architects in order to decrease necessary cooling loads and include solar cooling in their projects as a suitable solution | | *Capacity development of architects in order to decrease necessary cooling loads and include solar cooling in their projects as a suitable solution |
| | *broad awareness raising campaigns, lobbying | | *broad awareness raising campaigns, lobbying |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''R&D''' | | '''R&D''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Support visible and meaningful demonstration projects (with proven energy performance) to achieve standardization and guidelines, incl. showcases: collecting experiences, showing best practices as basis for awareness campaigns, potentials and limits | | *Support visible and meaningful demonstration projects (with proven energy performance) to achieve standardization and guidelines, incl. showcases: collecting experiences, showing best practices as basis for awareness campaigns, potentials and limits |
| | *Start keeping statistics on energy demand for cooling (split up industries) | | *Start keeping statistics on energy demand for cooling (split up industries) |
| | *The market for room air conditioners is growing very rapidly in India. Hence, small SAC units which can mitigate the environmental impact of this trend are especially needed for the Indian market. Develop R&D with focus on small applications. | | *The market for room air conditioners is growing very rapidly in India. Hence, small SAC units which can mitigate the environmental impact of this trend are especially needed for the Indian market. Develop R&D with focus on small applications. |
| | *Usability of residential solar water heaters for solar cooling (only 1-2 rooms needed) | | *Usability of residential solar water heaters for solar cooling (only 1-2 rooms needed) |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''Policy measures''' | | '''Policy measures''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Roadmap for (solar/RE) cooling and | | *Roadmap for (solar/RE) cooling and |
| | *inclusion of cooling into RE/solar targets at national/state level | | *inclusion of cooling into RE/solar targets at national/state level |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''Incentives Schemes''' | | '''Incentives Schemes''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Higher incentive in the early market status, reduced incentives when the market has started to take off: investment funds, tax reductions or credit programs with reduced interest rates. Based on standards of achieved energy/ CO<sub>2</sub> savings | | *Higher incentive in the early market status, reduced incentives when the market has started to take off: investment funds, tax reductions or credit programs with reduced interest rates. Based on standards of achieved energy/ CO<sub>2</sub> savings |
| | *Review solar thermal subsidy scheme (often in place) with regards to cooling, adoptions might be necessary to make application viable – maybe special subsidy when connected to heating and hot water, if applicable | | *Review solar thermal subsidy scheme (often in place) with regards to cooling, adoptions might be necessary to make application viable – maybe special subsidy when connected to heating and hot water, if applicable |
| | *Come up with easy financing mechanisms for solar /renewable cooling | | *Come up with easy financing mechanisms for solar /renewable cooling |
| | *Phase out subsidies on conventional energies to decrease market distortion | | *Phase out subsidies on conventional energies to decrease market distortion |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| | '''Regulatory measures''' | | '''Regulatory measures''' |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | *Inclusion of RE-cooling/SAC in building regulations (new buildings and refurbishment) – obligatory rating scheme for buildings | | *Inclusion of RE-cooling/SAC in building regulations (new buildings and refurbishment) – obligatory rating scheme for buildings |
| | *Prohibition / discouragement of refrigerant with high '''global warming potential (GWP)''' | | *Prohibition / discouragement of refrigerant with high '''global warming potential (GWP)''' |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| | = Further Information<br/> = | | = Further Information<br/> = |
| | | | |
| − | *[http://www.iea-shc.org/task38/ IEA Task 38 - Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration] -[https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf IEA Solar Cooling Position Paper] | + | *[http://www.iea-shc.org/task38/ IEA Task 38 - Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration] -[https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf IEA Solar Cooling Position Paper]<br/> |
| − | *[http://www.tecsol.fr/ Feasibility checklist for solar cooling projects (European focus)] | + | *[http://task48.iea-shc.org/ IEA Task 48 - Quality Assurance & Support Measures for Solar Cooling Systems]<br/> |
| | + | *[http://task53.iea-shc.org/ IEA Task 53 - New Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems]<br/> |
| | + | *[http://www.tecsol.fr/checklist/CheckList3.asp Feasibility checklist for solar cooling projects (European focus)]<br/> |
| | *[[Portal:Solar|Portal:Solar]] | | *[[Portal:Solar|Portal:Solar]] |
| − |
| |
| | <br/> | | <br/> |
| | | | |
| − | = References =
| |
| | | | |
| | + | = References = |
| | <references /> | | <references /> |
| | | | |
| − | [[Category:Solar]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Powering_Agriculture]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Productive_Use]]
| |
| − | [[Category:India]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Sustainability]]
| |
| | [[Category:Cooling]] | | [[Category:Cooling]] |
| | + | [[Category:Sustainability]] |
| | + | [[Category:India]] |
| | + | [[Category:Productive_Use]] |
| | + | [[Category:Powering_Agriculture]] |
| | + | [[Category:Solar]] |
Why solar cooling? In many countries, especially in developing countries in the South, with increasing economic development and population growth, demand for cooling is increasing rapidly (e.g. ric Arab Countries - 75% of installed poer is used for sooling). Often, this additional electricity load puts further stress on the mostly already shaky grids in these countries, leading to further power cuts.
Also, in many areas cooling for agricultural products, vaccines, etc. is an essential need which cannot be served. In this case, solar is also on option.
Despite intensive research over the past decade,SAC has still reached only a very small market penetration. Yet, a well established SAC research society and scientific field are working on further market development.[3]
A range of challenges exist why solar cooling has not taken off so far. In many cases, it is a combination of different issues.
Still, most of the issues are related to the technology. One of the main problems beeing that there is not one single solution and experiences with new applications are collected constantly
New discussion due to decreasing PV prices. Could it be more economical to run vapour compression chiller with a PV module than operating solar thermally powered chillers?
In India, boundary conditions for solar cooling are very favourable: there is more irradiation and at the same time more cooling degree days than in areas where most systems so far have been installed (e.g. USA, MENA, South Europa) - but partly in some regions the climate is also more humid which asks for adapted systems[4]
Ideal boundary conditions (high solar radioation, long cooling season). The only drawback are not prohibitive high energy price, yet this is neutralized trough extensive electricity shortages. Many institutions, companies etc. have their own back up systems for electrcity supply, often also for cooling.
Indian customers are looking for reliable cooling options - this is a chance for solar applications.
Moreover, the cooling demand is growing further which is endangering grid stability even more[5]
Because of electricity shortages, comapnies with exhaust heat and own generator have started using VAM systems which are available locally. the VAMs run on gas, wood or exhaust heat. Hence, an established VAM market (around 5 Mio USD) is in place which is one of the main drivers with regards to SAC in India.
So far, a hand full of projects has been realised (around 10), mostly R&D and some private (non commercial/green) initiatives are in place, using concentrated solar collectors + VAM
