solar based airconditioning

Dear friends,

With the world debating on climate change concrete actions by each one of us are necessitated to minimise its impacts.  A climate crisis is inevitable unless all countries, all individuals limit carbon emissions in the near future. This will only happen if low-carbon technologies become cost competitive, because subsidies for clean technology cannot sustain it in the long term. Success will require focusing on strategic investments that create a market cost advantage for clean power.

One such possibility is solar thermal or concentrating solar power (CSP), a technology that uses direct sunlight and mirrors for chilling requirements. Under adequate conditions, solar and solar-assisted air conditioning systems can be reasonable alternatives to conventional air conditioning systems. Such systems have advantages over those that use problematic coolants (CFCs), not to mention the incidental CO₂ emissions that are taking on increasingly critical values.

Further, there is a positive correlation between solar and cooling requirements. More the heat, higher is the requirement of cooling. Cooling consumes between 20-30% of the electricity produced in India. The challenge is to produce low cost solar concentrators using indiginised materials. Further, such concepts need to be promoted on a larger scale and integrated with commercial buildings. It would go a long way in minimizing the electricity usage.

I seek your valuable suggestions.