Renewable Energy Practice Test: Solar Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Systems — Flashcards

Solar refrigeration and air-conditioning systems use solar power to cool and control temperatures. They can be used in refrigerators, freezers, building air conditioning systems, and more. 
Solar refrigeration systems are also known as solar electric/vapor compression refrigeration (SE-VCR) systems. 
Solar air-conditioning systems can reduce the buildup of summer heat and remove heat from the interior of a building. However, they have a lower coefficient of performance (COP) than electrical vapor compression AC systems.

Here's how solar refrigeration systems work:
Solar radiation is converted to direct current electricity using semiconducting materials.
The DC electrical power drives the compressor to circulate refrigerant through a vapor compression refrigeration loop.
The loop extracts heat from an insulated enclosure.