Solar cooling in Madrid: experimental results obtained to partial load during 2003 summer

This paper provides experimental results derived through field testing of a partial load solar energized cooling system in Madrid during the summer period of 2003. Solar hot water was delivered by means of a 50 m2 array of flat-plate collectors to drive a single-effect (LiBr/H2O) absorption chiller of 35 kW nominal cooling capacity. Thermal energy was stored in a 2 m3 stratified hot water storage tank during hours of bright sunshine.