solar air conditioner
solar split system

What are solar air conditioners? How many types of solar air conditioners are available?
It sounds more complex than it is. Solar air conditioners are simply PV solar modules that generate power to run the AC compressor. This makes a lot of sense since the sun is often out when we use the AC the most.
There is no question that the sun provides an incredible source of energy; the difficulty is in capturing that energy effectively and putting it to practical use. Although the more commonly known PV, or photovoltaic, solar panels are effective, the electricity generated is used to operate your household lighting, computers, and appliances. Given that your air conditioning unit generally requires the most electricity to operate, especially during the hot summer months, the most efficient AC system should operate fully on the power of the sun.
Conventional air conditioners running at the hottest points of the day contribute to power grid demands that drive electricity costs up and release lost of carbon into the atmosphere. Solar air conditioning units offer environmental benefits including lower grid demand and load shifting during peak usage, reduced electricity costs, fewer power outages, off-the-grid capabilities and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Unfortunately, solar air conditioners are not that high in demand yet in USA. Standard ductless air conditioners and heat pumps have as high as SEER 27 these days, which is very energy efficient as it is. Solar air conditioners are almost twice the price in many cases and when you weigh in the factor of cost v/s savings it takes a long time to recoup the money back. Unless the cost of these air conditioners are reduced, the demand of solar split systems will remain low.

  • There are two types of solar air conditioners available, PV and PH types.
  • PH types will convert the solar energy into usable btu's in short, it uses solar energy and uses a highly efficient heat exchanger storage system for a certain amount of solar energy added for solar air conditioner to work effectively.
  • Whereas PV type panels convert solar power into electricity which then is used to help power the air conditioner unit in conjunction with available grid electricity. PV models are more popular for obvious reasons. For example if normal air conditioner uses 20 AMPS from stadard cricuit breaker in your home, by having a PV type solar system, it may only use 7 AMPs from the circuit breaker instead while the rest is used from solar energy.

How are solar air conditioner units installed?

Normally solar mini split system consists of the following components that are included in the standard pricing:
1. One Indoor Unit, DC Inverter, including a wall mount bracket, and a remote control.
2. One Outdoor Unit, DC inverter (two pairs of valves-two liquid valve, two gas valves)
3. One solar panel (to be mounted off ground, on the wall, or roof, at a location where you can get better sun shine)
4. Two sets of installation kits. Copper piping: One set to connect the solar panel to outdoor unit, the other set to connect indoor unit and outdoor unit. Flare-nut connections.

Vacuuming from the outdoor unit valves is needed by an HVAC contractor, as usually in other systems.

ductless split system

solar mini split

 

Where can the solar air conditioners be used and what features do they come with?

application

how inverter works
air conditioned room
 

 

Local HVAC Company - Air Conditioning & Heating Units

Get Service Calls