Solar Thermal Cooling Systems

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Solar thermal cooling systems utilize solar energy to power cooling processes, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional air conditioning systems that rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels. These systems offer a way to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with cooling buildings, particularly in regions with abundant sunlight.

Impact on climate action

Solar Thermal Cooling Systems under the main theme of Solar Thermal advance climate action by utilizing renewable energy for cooling purposes. By reducing the demand for electricity from fossil fuel-based cooling systems, these innovations mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy future.

Underlying
Technology

  • Absorption Chillers: Absorption chillers use heat to drive a refrigeration cycle, replacing the electricity-driven compressor found in conventional air conditioners. Solar thermal energy is used to generate the heat needed for the absorption process.
  • Desiccant Cooling Systems: Desiccant cooling systems use desiccants, which are materials that absorb moisture from the air, to dehumidify and cool the air. Solar thermal energy is used to regenerate the desiccant material, allowing for continuous operation.

TRL : 7-8


Prominent Innovation themes

  • High-Efficiency Solar Collectors: Innovations in solar collector design and materials are improving the efficiency of solar thermal collectors, leading to more effective solar cooling systems.
  • Advanced Absorption Chillers: Researchers and companies are developing absorption chillers with higher cooling capacities and improved efficiency, making them more suitable for larger buildings and commercial applications.
  • Hybrid Solar Cooling Systems: Hybrid systems combine solar thermal cooling with conventional cooling technologies, such as vapor compression chillers, to provide a more reliable and flexible cooling solution.
  • Building-Integrated Solar Cooling: Integrating solar thermal collectors into building facades or roofs can provide a more aesthetically pleasing and efficient way to power solar cooling systems.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Enhanced Solar Collector Designs for Solar Thermal Cooling Systems
  • Next-Gen Absorption Chillers for Solar Thermal Cooling Systems
  • Advancements in Desiccant Cooling for Solar Thermal
  • Modular Solar Thermal Cooling Systems
  • Optimizing Solar Thermal Cooling Performance
  • Innovations in Thermal Materials for Solar Thermal Cooling Systems
  • Compact Solar-Powered Chillers

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  • Sopogy:
    • Technology Enhancement: Sopogy develops concentrating solar power (CSP) systems for various applications, including solar thermal cooling. Their systems utilize parabolic trough collectors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, where a heat transfer fluid is heated to high temperatures. This thermal energy is then used for cooling applications through absorption chillers or desiccant cooling systems.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Sopogy stands out for its focus on distributed solar thermal solutions and its innovative approach to solar cooling technology. Their compact and modular CSP systems offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Sopogy serves customers in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture seeking sustainable cooling solutions. Their solar thermal cooling systems provide an alternative to conventional air conditioning systems, reducing energy costs, carbon emissions, and reliance on grid electricity.
  • Cogenra Solar:
    • Technology Enhancement: Cogenra Solar specializes in hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) and thermal systems for combined electricity and heat generation. Their solar cogeneration systems integrate PV panels with thermal collectors to capture both electricity and heat from sunlight. The thermal energy can be used for various applications, including space heating, hot water production, and absorption cooling.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Cogenra Solar stands out for its hybrid solar PV and thermal technology and its focus on maximizing energy output and efficiency. Their systems enable simultaneous electricity and heat generation, providing a versatile and cost-effective solution for distributed energy generation and thermal applications.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Cogenra Solar serves commercial and industrial customers seeking integrated energy solutions for electricity and heat supply. Their solar cogeneration systems are deployed in buildings, manufacturing facilities, agricultural operations, and other commercial sites, offering energy cost savings, resilience, and sustainability benefits.
  • Chilldyne:
    • Technology Enhancement: Chilldyne specializes in advanced cooling technologies, including liquid cooling systems powered by solar thermal energy. Their solar thermal cooling systems use a combination of solar collectors, heat exchangers, and liquid coolant to remove heat from electronic components, industrial processes, and other applications.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Chilldyne stands out for its expertise in liquid cooling solutions and its focus on thermal management for high-performance applications. Their solar thermal cooling systems offer efficient and reliable heat dissipation, enabling improved performance, reliability, and longevity of electronic devices and industrial equipment.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Chilldyne serves customers in industries such as data centers, telecommunications, automotive, and aerospace seeking effective cooling solutions for sensitive equipment and processes. Their solar thermal cooling systems provide an alternative to air-based cooling methods, offering higher efficiency, lower operating costs, and reduced environmental impact.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):
    • Research Focus: NREL is a pioneer in research on Solar Thermal Cooling Systems, focusing on developing advanced technologies for utilizing solar heat to drive thermally-driven cooling processes such as absorption and adsorption refrigeration.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves the design and optimization of solar collectors, heat exchangers, and thermal storage systems tailored for solar cooling applications. They explore novel materials, selective coatings, and system configurations to enhance energy conversion efficiency, thermal performance, and system reliability under varying operating conditions.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in commercial buildings, data centers, and industrial processes where cooling demand coincides with solar availability. By leveraging solar thermal energy for cooling purposes, NREL’s research contributes to reducing electricity consumption, peak demand, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional air conditioning systems.
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
    • Research Focus: MIT conducts innovative research on Solar Thermal Cooling Systems, leveraging its expertise in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and renewable energy technologies to develop advanced solar-driven cooling solutions with high efficiency and reliability.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the development of next-generation solar collectors, absorption chillers, and desiccant-based dehumidification systems optimized for tropical and subtropical climates. They explore advanced control strategies, hybrid system configurations, and integrated building designs to maximize energy savings and occupant comfort while minimizing environmental impact.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings in regions with high cooling demand and ample solar resources. By providing sustainable and cost-effective cooling solutions, MIT’s research addresses the growing energy demand for air conditioning and contributes to mitigating climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels for cooling.
  • University of California, Berkeley:
    • Research Focus: UC Berkeley is engaged in cutting-edge research on Solar Thermal Cooling Systems, leveraging its expertise in materials science, solar energy conversion, and building physics to develop innovative approaches for utilizing solar heat for cooling purposes.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves exploring novel materials such as phase change materials (PCMs), advanced ceramics, and nanocomposites for thermal energy storage and heat transfer enhancement in solar-driven cooling systems. They also investigate hybrid solar-cooling technologies, district-level cooling networks, and smart building integration to optimize energy use and system performance.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in hot and arid regions, urban areas, and off-grid communities where conventional air conditioning is energy-intensive and costly. By harnessing solar thermal energy for cooling, UC Berkeley’s research contributes to energy access, sustainability, and resilience in the built environment, supporting the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient cities.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Solar thermal cooling systems are being implemented in commercial and institutional buildings around the world, particularly in regions with high cooling demands and abundant sunlight. For example, solar cooling systems have been installed in hotels, hospitals, and office buildings in countries like Spain, Italy, and the United States.



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