Solar cooling potential in Spain

During the IIR-co-sponsored EuroSun 2012 conference, Carrera et al. presented the results of a study about the potential of solar thermal energy to supply heating, domestic hot water and cooling in the residential and tertiary Spanish buildings sector between 2011 and 2020.
During the IIR-co-sponsored EuroSun 2012 conference, Carrera et al. presented* the results of a study about the potential of solar thermal energy to supply heating, domestic hot water and cooling in the residential and tertiary Spanish buildings sector between 2011 and 2020.

The main conclusion of the study is that in 2020 there will be a total maximum potential of 60 million m2 of solar collectors in residential sector and 8.5 million m2 in tertiary sector, with single-effect absorption chiller systems.
The potential for double-effect absorption chillers with parabolic trough collectors and desiccant systems, in the tertiary sector, is of 0.7 million m2 and 0.2million m2, respectively.

However, under present market conditions, most systems require a subsidy of 60% of the investment to achieve a pay-back period lower than 15 years.

* Solar Cooling Potential in Spain 2011-2020, A. Carrera, L. Siso, A. Herena

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