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Cooling of commercial buildings with ICPC solar collectors

Conference ·
OSTI ID:116263
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
  2. Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States). Dept. of Physics

The paper describes the development and economic analysis of integrated compound parabolic concentrator solar collectors that can be used with double effect absorption chillers to double the amount of cooling that is possible with solar driven single effect chillers. A major advantage of ICPC collectors is that they can efficiently produce the high temperatures needed by double effect chillers without having to track the sun. With no moving parts, the collectors are more reliable than tracking collectors and are potentially much less expensive. In this paper the characteristics of the solar energy and cooling systems are described and manufacturing cost, performance, and installation cost estimates for the 1995 through 2000 time frame are given. Performance, cost, and economic comparisons with parabolic troughs and photovoltaic electric cooling system are presented. ICPC cooling systems are seen to be highly favorable compared to other solar technologies and, in many locations, competitive with natural gas and electricity.

OSTI ID:
116263
Report Number(s):
CONF-950336--; ISBN 0-7918-1300-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English