Study on the use of solar cooling for Maltese dwellings in comparison with conventional air-conditioning with energy use offset by photovoltaic electrical generation

Abstract

Malta has a high incidence of solar irradiation so it is logical that this energy source should be utilized to condition Maltese buildings. However although air conditioning (A/C) and photovoltaic (PV) technologies are well known, as well as their costs and benefits, the potential of solar cooling (SC) technologies in Maltese dwellings is relatively unknown. The objective of this dissertation was to study the potential use of solar cooling technologies for conditioning different categories of Maltese dwellings (apartments, maisonettes, terraced houses and villas) in comparison to conditioning the same buildings with conventional air conditioning while offsetting energy consumed with PV electrical generation. The state of the art in PV and A/C technologies for dwellings was studied and the current status of SC for dwellings assessed. From the best locally available technologies in A/C and PV the CAPEX targets were found that SC would have to match or better to be considered as an option for different dwelling categories. A study was done on SC technologies present locally and internationally that could match these targets. Any barriers, including economic, for the introduction of SC for dwellings in Malta were analysed. Any findings that could indicate that SC could be viable in other types of Maltese buildings apart from dwellings were also researched.