You might be thinking that solar cooling is a wrong phrase to use since solar energy is normally associated with heating. However the same solar energy can now be used for cooling the interiors of your house and office in summer. Today there are several passive solar cooling systems that have been developed and tested. These systems make use of a coolant that helps to absorb and then release heat from the house. For example, a system may consist of a running pool of water on the rooftop that absorbs heat from inside the house and then releases it in the environment.
There are other sophisticated solar cooling systems as well which consist of a storage medium. This medium collects heat during the day and then dissipates it at night. The solar collector is exposed to the cool night air. The solar collector should however have a shade above it and hence it is covered by a retractable awning or an overhang extension. The system is them reversed in the months of winter so that the solar collector can be exposed to the sun if required.
You can even make use of solar panels to power traditional air conditioners. This is because the duration of intense heat is similar to the periods of peak electricity production. Hence as long as you have solar panels to generate sufficient electricity, the air conditioners can operate with that amount of power at no additional cost. Today you can make use of solar cooling that does not require high technology.
For example, the Romans and the Indians made use of running water that helped to cold the walls of their palaces and their houses. The system cooled the place without using any electricity as the heat from the sun evaporated and dissipated the heat from the house. You can now use the solar cooling system on your wall and rooftops. Since cooling and heating by conventional methods is an expensive option many people today are considering solar cooling to save on their costs and also contribute positively towards the environment. Solar cooling makes us less dependent on the fossil fuels that are generally used for heating and cooling the house.
Solar cooling works well in dry climates and they use only about ΒΌ to 1/3 of the power of conventional units. By using solar cooling you can save at least 75 to 125 watts of power.