Solar refrigeration options – a state-of-the-art review

A state-of-the-art review is presented of the different technologies that are available to deliver refrigeration from solar energy. The review covers solar electric, solar thermal and some new emerging technologies. The solar thermal systems include thermo-mechanical, absorption, adsorption and desiccant solutions. A comparison is made between the different solutions both from the point of view of energy efficiency and economic feasibility. Solar electric and thermo-mechanical systems appear to be more expensive than thermal sorption systems. Absorption and adsorption are comparable in terms of performance but adsorption chillers are more expensive and bulkier than absorption chillers. The total cost of a single-effect LiBr–water absorption system is estimated to be the lowest.