Solar cooling technologies are becoming increasingly popular. Technological
innovation and mass production driven due to its use of renewable energy has led
to a significant reduction in the initial cost of investment. However, due to the
sporadic nature of solar energy coupled with other technical and economical
limitations, it is difficult to solely depend on a solar cooling system. In this study,
a solar powered absorption chiller system was mathematically modelled and
simulated. Objective of this study was to compare the performance of an
absorption chiller system using two backup modes; LPG fired auxiliary heating
mode and using an electrically driven vapor compression chiller. Inclined solar
collectors were generating the solar power for the system. Solar irradiance on the
inclined plan of the solar collector were calculated using ASRC-CIE sky model.
Sky model and the absorption chiller with auxiliary heater was validated by
dissecting the system into major components and comparing the results with
practically logged data. Both configurations were able to meet the cooling
requirements. Annual simulations of the two systems showed that both systems
could operate with a collector area to cooling power ratio of 2 m2
/kWth.