A review of solar driven absorption cooling with photovoltaic thermal systems

The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the recent advances in the field of solar absorption cooling systems from the viewpoint of solar collector types. A review in the area of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) absorption cooling systems is conducted. This review includes experimental and computational work focusing on collector types and their efficiencies and performance indicators. Compared to vapour compression air conditioning systems, 50% of primary energy was saved by using solar absorption cooling systems and 10–35% maximum electrical efficiency of PVT was achieved.

This review shows that Coefficient of Performance (COP) for solar cooling systems is in the range of 0.1–0.91 while the thermal collector efficiencies are in the range of 0.06–0.64. The average area to produce cooling for single effect absorption chillers for experimental and computational projects is 4.95 m2/kWc and 5.61 m2/kWc respectively. The specific area for flat plat collector (FPC) is in the range of 2.18–9.4 m2/kWc, while for evacuated tube collector (ETC) is in the range of 1.27–12.5 m2/kWc. For concentrated photovoltaic thermal collector (CPVT) and PVT, the average area to produce cooling for solar absorption chillers are 2.72 m2/kWc and 3.1 m2/kWc respectively.