Solar-Powered Air Conditioner About To Be Released
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 03.21.07
After 4 years of development, California based company SoCool will launch the Millennia version 4 hybrid solar air conditioner. The air conditioner runs on solar panels, or a wall socket, or batteries. It's designed to cool a large room while substantially lowering electricity costs according to the company. The unit operates at a maximum of 500 watts, which is much than half what typical air conditioning units use. If using batteries, the unit can last up to 24 hours depending on battery size. Priced between $2,600 and $3,000 before installation (approximately $500), the SoCool Millennia includes two-gallon water tank to store cooled water. See also: SolCool: A Solar Air Conditioner :: Via News.Com
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Wow, it's too bad that the price is waay out of range for little ol' me because that sounds like a wonderful idea.
It's kind of funny that they're located in Banning, CA. My cousins live there, and I've always complained that there's never anything cool going down in that town.
Guess i was wrong! pun intended! badumppsh!
The process could be made more efficient if you bypass the electric stage altogether. Just hook the mechanical linkage of a passive stirling cylinder or windmill up to a compressor. That would result in far higher efficiencies.
Of course, if non-combustion sources actually kick in, there will be less need for AC, because there will be less waste heat in the system from combustion.
This really is cool. Since a lot of us treehuggers are interested in living in smaller spaces this might provide all the cooling; especially if we can get synergies from smarter (cooler) design details in our homes.
I would like to know how "large room" translates into square feet.
This is great for developing countries.
Ya the price is high now but people regularly pay $100 to $200 a month in developing counties for AC in the summer months.
This is a great breakthru!!!
If you live in a climate with low humidity, 12-volt DC swamp coolers are available (have been for a number of years) and they are easily hooked up to solar panels. They've been a bit hit with campers who have small trailers and like to boondock away from electrical hookups. The big advantage--the whole setup is much, much cheaper,even buying a good solar panel and a couple of deep-cycle batteries.