Solar cooling with concentrating photovoltaic/thermal (CPVT) systems

Simultaneous production of electrical and high grade thermal energy is proposed with a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal (CPVT) system operating at elevated temperature. CPVT collectors may operate at temperatures above 100 °C, and the thermal energy can drive processes such as refrigeration, desalination and steam production. The performance and cost of a CPVT system with single effect absorption cooling are investigated in detail. The results show that under a wide range of economic conditions, the combined solar cooling and power generation plant can be comparable to, and sometimes even significantly better than, the conventional alternative.