First Operation Months of World’s Most Powerful Solar Cooling System in the USA at Desert Mountain High School, Scottsdale, AZ
Abstract
In early 2014 the solar thermal cooling system with 1750 kW (500 tons) cooling power was commissioned at Desert Mountain High School (DMHS), Scottsdale, AZ. The collector gross area is 4865 m² of double glazed flat plate collectors. The lithium bromide absorption cooling machine works in combination with four existing compression chillers. Experiences of the start-up phase will be described and measurements of energy flows and use of auxiliary energy will be shown as well as seasonal energy efficiency ratios. It is of special interest that electric COPs (kWh Cooling produced/ kWh electricity consumed) of the system up to 42 were reached for periods longer than one hour and daily average including all starting and stopping procedures in morning and evening reach COPel between 25-30.