On this overheated planet with its limited electricity supply, the time for solar air conditioners has come. Here''s how to use the sun to keep cool.
The year 2023 is on track to become the hottest ever recorded on Earth. Air conditioning can provide relief from the heat. But if too many people rely on it, the electric grid can’t keep up, forcing power companies to temporarily cut service to millions of households.
Solar air conditioners offer a straightforward solution to this dilemma.
Where I live on the coast of Central California, heat is seldom as oppressive as in Southern California, Arizona, Texas or the Southeast. Seldom doesn’t mean never, though. So as part of the solar upgrade to our off-grid property, we’re looking closely at air conditioning options.
We’re leaning heavily in favor of a heat pump system, because it cools as well as heats, and our solar array should handle it quite nicely. But it turns out there are other ways we could go.
One example: Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) is developing a rooftop system that uses the sun’s energy to heat water, which vaporizes and passes through a spinning desiccant wheel to dry out. It then goes through an evaporative cooler and finally into a duct system to cool the house.
The system provides hot water and cool air for the house while using only enough electricity to spin the desiccant wheel and circulation fans. It isn’t a realistic option for us, but it might be for other homeowners.
The most common solar air conditioner design uses photovoltaic (PV) panels to power the compressor and fan. The compressor may connect to indoor evaporative units (think mini-splits) or circulate cool air through a duct system. It draws all its power from the panels, although hybrid units are available that can also use grid power.
In places where grid power isn’t available, a battery can be added allow the air conditioner to operate at night.
Another type, called a solar thermal air conditioner, uses water heated by the sun to drive the refrigerant. Like a compressor, the hot water condenses a refrigerant and drives it into evaporator coils, vaporizing it and absorbing heat from the house.
This type of unit needs some electricity to operate circulation fans, but not as much as a conventional air conditioner, and it works with smaller panels.
PV-powered air conditioners come in three types: DC current, AC current, and hybrids that can run on both types of power.
Mini-split systems are quite common. They feature an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor units containing evaporative coils and a circulation fan. The panels are usually mounted near the compressor. Wires bundled with the refrigeration tubing carry electricity to the indoor units.
Window-mount units are also available. They usually come with a panel array that mounts on the roof or the side of the house.
Solar air conditioning offers a solution to the nagging problem of power grid overload during hot weather, but only if enough homeowners go for it.
To make the decision easier, the federal government offers a 30 percent solar tax credit towards the purchase and installation of new solar equipment. That’s a big incentive. Here are others:
The main drawback? It won’t work if there isn’t enough sun. That’s a problem for people on shaded properties or in the wrong climate zone. Other drawbacks include:
If your property gets enough sun, a solar air conditioner is a wise investment that will reduce your energy bill and probably increase your property value as well. You’ll also be doing your part to keep the electric grid up and running.
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Climate change, a pressing 21st-century global issue, manifests through rising sea levels, extreme weather events, glacier melting, and the overarching impact of global warming, making renewable energy, sustainable heating, and sustainable cooling solutions like solar-powered air conditioning a top priority and power source of the future.
According to Global Change data, the average air temperature in the United States has increased by 1.8°F (1°C) over the last 115 years. If we look at the infographic, we can see that with each passing year, the temperature in America continues to rise.
The rising temperature is observed in all regions of the United States. You can see the dynamics of changes for each state below. Based on research, the EPA claims that temperatures have risen the most in the North, West, and Alaska.
For this reason, many Americans are considering the possibility of powering their air conditioning with solar energy. If you are one of them, and you’ve decided to use solar energy in your household rather than rely on traditional ''carbon footprint'' sources – the SolarPowerSystems platform is here to help you with the decision!
However, if you''re just considering going green and aren''t sure where to start, check out more articles in our blog on integrating solar power into sustainable living practices or ask for a solar quote from our industry experts, who own information about 2000 US solar installers.
If you''re still considering whether solar panels are the best way to go, here are two factors to consider:
So, why not take advantage of solar-powered air conditioners and go green with solar panels? Read on to learn more about solar panels and solar-powered air conditioning and discover how to evaluate your capabilities in air conditioning with solar energy.
Solar-powered air conditioning is a system using solar panels as an energy source for cooling or heating a space, depending on your needs. The great thing about it is that you can upgrade it anytime and save a lot of money on your AC bill.
The solar-powered air conditioning system consists of three main components:
How do solar-powered AC units work? In reality, there’s nothing complex about it:
It’s essential to understand that the air conditioner uses solar energy to heat a liquid, which ultimately allows for cooling or heating the air in the room.
The main stages of solar-powered air conditioning are:
These stages operate continuously throughout the air conditioner’s functioning, with efficiency directly tied to the intensity of sunlight.
For those who''ve just purchased a house, we recommend installing a solar-powered air conditioner on the roof to save you time and money.
Residents who live in a city with limited sunlight, like Seattle or Portland, consider the purchase and installation of a solar battery. It will store the energy generated by solar panels, providing you with a backup option.
A solar-powered air conditioner has distinct advantages compared to conventional ones. By using solar panel for AC, you will:
Of course, along with the benefits, there are some drawbacks of solar-powered air conditioners:
However, like any other device, a solar-powered air conditioner is not immune to malfunctions or other issues. Nevertheless, harnessing solar for AC units will benefit not only your family but the entire humanity.
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