Economic Evaluation of a Solid Adsorption Solar Refrigerator

A procedure is developed for assessing the economic viability of a solid adsorption solar refrigerator in terms of its life cycle saving over a conventional vapour compression refrigerator. The life cycle saving is expressed in generalized form. Economic factors considered include property tax rate, inflation rate, banks interest rate and yearly rate of increase of energy and maintenance cost. Results obtained indicate that the first cost of the solid adsorption solar refrigerator is usually quite high. However over time, the investment in it will be justified, especially in regions with high insolation level without grid connected electricity.