A critical review on application of solar energy as renewable regeneration heat source in solid desiccant – vapor compression hybrid cooling system

A review on solar powered solid desiccant – vapor compression hybrid cooling system has been carried out. This provides latest information on recent development in air-conditioning and built environment produced by use of hybrid cooling. Use of renewable solar energy can be a good source for regeneration heat provided in reactivating desiccant dehumidifier used in alternate cooling systems. Desiccant dehumidification assisted vapor-compression based hybrid air-conditioning systems can successfully couple to renewable solar thermal power to dampen electricity use and to conserve environment in place of traditional air-conditioning. The energy saving potential of solar powered desiccant cooling technologies is illustrated and discussed as compared to the vapor compression based conventional cooling systems. It is found that the solid desiccant integrated hybrid cooling systems are favourable than the conventional vapor compression cooling, because it is better means for economical and cleaner air-conditioning. The present review can ameliorate the usefulness of solar energy as renewable regeneration heat source in heat driven solid desiccant based hybrid cooling system and helps to guide future investigators to take the research opportunities in this area. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd