This paper presents an overview of some recent European and international projects on solar air conditioning (A/C). The first part reviews the results from a recently completed European research project on the study and manufacturing of a small 10 kW (about 3 ton) prototype solar-assisted absorption heat pump coupled with a floor heating and cooling system. The second part reviews the current activities in a European project to perform a comparative study of European and national R&D and demonstration activities on solar A/C, in terms of energy-saving potential and cost performance, to promote their future growth and market integration and to identify future needs. The third part reviews the current activities in a project supported by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on solar-assisted air conditioning of buildings.

Units: Dual