HARNESSING SOLAR ENERGY FOR COOLING: INNOVATIONS IN SOLAR THERMAL COOLING SYSTEMS

This article reviews the recent advancements in solar thermal cooling technologies, highlighting the significance of renewable energy for cooling applications, especially in regions with high cooling demand and abundant sunlight. Solar thermal cooling utilizes the heat from the sun to drive cooling processes, and this review explores the primary methods, including absorption chillers, adsorption chillers, and solar-assisted vapor compression systems. We also discuss the latest innovations, challenges, and the future outlook of solar thermal cooling in commercial and residential applications. The study further emphasizes the environmental and economic benefits of these technologies, particularly in reducing carbon footprints and operational costs.