Profitability of using solar energy for refrigeration and air conditioning

In this paper we analyze the use of solar thermal energy to operate the absorption refrigeration machines for refrigeration and air conditioning and with respect to their rentability. Furthermore the different drive systems of absorption refrigeration machines and vapour-compression refrigeration machines are compared under the assumption of equal refrigeration capacity for all systems. As an example for the energetic and economic comparison between the conventional refrigeration and solar thermal refrigeration we consider the air conditioning of a sample building with given refrigeration capacity.