Solar coolfacades: Framework for the integration of solar cooling technologies in the building envelope

Feasibility Study of Self-Sufficient Solar Cooling Façade Applications in Different Warm Regions

“…Moreover, maximum efficiencies of PV and STCs are assumed for thermoelectric and desiccant systems, respectively. The fact that sorption technologies require higher input temperatures to properly operate [5] was considered by assuming a lower COPsolarsys in the calculations. The results are presented in Tables 8 and 9 in terms of the calculated solar fraction (SF) for every scenario, in each location and orientation.…”

“…Also, as mentioned before, these values account for the main cooling process, providing a simplified assessment without considering other types of energy to power up additional equipment, such as pumps for absorption heat pumps, or evaporative cooling units for desiccant systems. On the other hand, thermoelectric cooling is driven by direct current, so an inverter and the subsequent derived losses do not need to be considered in the calculations [5].…”

“…Global cooling demands are growing due to several factors, such as higher standards of living, temperature in the urban environment, and climate change [3], so there is a pressing need for environmentally friendly technologies, driven by renewable energy sources. Solar cooling technologies are driven by solar radiation, throughout thermal or electric processes, using no refrigerants, or working materials with low global warming potential [4,5]. Common vapour-compression systems commercially available are highly efficient, compared to current solar cooling systems, but rely on the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), with global warming potential 1430 times that of CO 2 [6].…”

“…Finally, recommendations are drafted considering prospects for the exploration of suitable technologies for each location, and façade design considerations for the optimization of the solar input per orientation.These systems have been researched and developed, mostly focusing on their performance, but their application in the built environment remains mostly limited to large demonstration projects and pilot experiences [7]. In that regard, several small-scale designs and prototypes are being developed by researchers, in order to promote widespread architectural application of these technologies in buildings, under the concept of solar cooling façades [5]. These integrated concepts seize the economic and functional benefits derived from the integration of decentralised components in the façade, while using the available exposed area for direct and diffuse solar collection.…”

Thermal Performance Analysis of an Absorption Cooling System Based on Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors

“…In this case, the PV electric cooling system nowadays has higher energy efficiency and better economic performance [7]. With the development and promotion of solar heat collectors including concentrating and non-concentrating collectors, the technologies of cooling driven by solar thermal energy, such as solar adsorption cooling system [8], solar assisted liquid desiccant dehumidifier [9], and solar adsorption desalination-cooling system [10], were developed and analyzed from different aspects including energetic efficiency, economic feasibility [11], and environmental assessment [12] by researchers from different countries and regions [13].…”