Are Solar Air Conditioners Any Good? Revolutionary Energy-Saving More than 99% Air Conditioning System

In the contemporary era, as the global awareness of environmental protection and energy conservation continues to heighten, exploring and applying new energy sources have become an indispensable part of our lives. The advantages of solar AC (solar air conditioning ) are truly remarkable and multifaceted. Let’s delve deeper into some frequently asked questions to understand why this technology is set to redefine our cooling needs in the years to come.

Is it possible to run AC on solar power?

Yes, it is possible to run an air conditioner (AC) on solar power. Solar air conditioning systems use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power the AC unit.

Are solar air conditioners any good?

Reduce electricity costs: Nowadays, with the gradual increase in electricity charges, solar energy, as a free resource, can significantly reduce electricity costs. The electricity expenditure of several hundred dollars per month in the past is highly likely to be halved after the addition of solar air conditioners.
Independent and hybrid power supply: In areas with unstable power supply or remote areas, solar air conditioners can operate independently without being restricted by the power grid. In areas with sufficient power supply, solar energy can be used to supplement the municipal power supply to reduce usage costs or municipal power supply can be used in places with weak sunlight to ensure the continuous usability of the air conditioner.
Easy installation and maintenance: Its system structure is relatively simple, the installation process is more convenient, and the daily maintenance cost is usually lower.
Silent operation: Compared to the compressors of traditional air conditioners, solar air conditioners usually operate more quietly. This is because solar air conditioners are equipped with DC-driven variable-frequency compressors, which can reduce motor energy consumption. Moreover, small-load operation can meet the demand, and the low-frequency start-up of the compressor can make less noise and achieve silent operation.
Long lifespan: Also because it can support low-load operation, high-quality solar air conditioning equipment usually has a service life of 20 to 30 years.

What does a solar AC consist of?

Solar panel: Collects solar energy
Controller: regulate the direct current (DC) from solar panels to ensure the stable operation of the air conditioning system
AC/DC module (hybrid module only): convert the input alternating current (AC) from grid to direct current (DC)
Control components & sensors: monitor and control the operating status
Outdoor unit
- Compressor: compress the refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature
- Condenser: cools and condenses the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas into a liquid, releasing heat
- Fan: heat dissipation and improves the heat exchange efficiency of the condenser
- Expansion valve: controls the flow and pressure of the refrigerant, reducing its pressure and temperature
Indoor unit
- Evaporator: evaporate the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant
- Fan: blows the air cooled by the evaporator into the room for air circulation
- Air filter: filters out dust, pollen, and other impurities in the air, providing clean air

What is the difference between solar AC and normal AC?

Difference	Solar AC	Normal AC
Power Source	DC (direct current) power from the solar panels AC (alternative current) power from the power grid	Power supply from the power grid only
Cost	Higher initial installation and maintenance cost due to the solar panels Lower long-term operating cost because solar energy is free	Lower initial cost on installation Higher long-term operating cost due to sole reliance on electricity expenses
Noise Level	Silent operation, thanks to the lower-frequency start-up of the DC (direct current) compressor	More noise, caused by the higher-frequency start-up of the AC (alternative current) compressor
Service Life	Longer service life, usually up to 20 – 30 years or even longer, because to the low-load operation	Shorter lifespan, can be used for 10 – 15 years due to its limited capability of high-load operation only
Energy Independence	Can be energy independence	Completely relies on the external power grid
Applicable Scenarios	Remote areas with unstable power supply Areas with abundant sunlight	Areas with abundant and stable power supply
Environmental Friendliness	More environmentally friendly and lower carbon emissions	Less environmentally friendly and increasing carbon footprint

How does solar AC work?

DC solar air conditioner

Solar panels collect solar energy and convert it into DC power.
When the DC power passes through the controller, it regulates the direct current (DC) to ensure the stable operation of the air conditioning system.
In the outdoor unit, the compressor compresses the refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature; the condenser cools and condenses the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas into a liquid, releasing heat; the fan helps with heat dissipation and improves the heat exchange efficiency of the condenser; and the expansion valve controls the flow and pressure of the refrigerant, reducing its pressure and temperature.
In the indoor unit, the evaporator evaporates the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant; the fan blows the air cooled by the evaporator into the room for air circulation; the air filter filters out dust, pollen, and other impurities in the air, providing clean air.

AC/DC hybrid solar air conditioner

Similar to the DC one, an AC/DC module is added which converts the input alternating current (AC) from the grid to direct current (DC).

What functions does solar AC have?

Similar to the traditional AC, solar AC can perform functions such as cooling and heating.

What is Btu? How to convert Btu to Watts?

Btu stands for British Thermal Units. Its is a measurement of the amount of energy an air conditioner uses. Approximately, one Btu is the energy released by the burning of a match.
Btu * 0.293 = Watts

How many solar panels do I need to run a solar AC?

It depends on the amount of power you require. Generally, each solar panel represents 450w.

The power options of an off-grid solar system ranging from 9000 Btu to 24000 Btu are the most popular. They typically need 8 to 21 pieces of solar panels, specifically:

9000 Btu: 8 pieces
12000 Btu: 11 pieces
18000 Btu: 16 pieces
24000 Btu: 21 pieces

This is only a rough reference. You can consult our professionals to determine.

How many AC can run on solar power?

It depends on the capacity and quantity of the solar panels you possess, as well as the energy consumption of each AC unit.

For instance, if you have 30 solar panels each with a capacity of 450w, the total solar energy supply including losses could be approximately 10.4kw. You can choose one of the following options:

Run 3 to 4 AC units of 9000 Btu
Run 2 to 3 AC units of 12000 Btu
Run 1 to 2 AC units of 18000 Btu
Run 1 AC unit of 24000 Btu

How to convert normal AC to solar AC?

Core components such as the compressor, solar panels, and the power control section including the controller and AC/DC modules need to be replaced because the working principles of the normal AC and the solar AC are significantly different.

Common components like the evaporator, condenser, fan, connection parts, sensor, casing, and frame may be reused in solar AC. However, these components do not guarantee full adaptability and cost relatively little compared to the core components.

Therefore, we do not recommend converting a normal AC into a solar one. Instead, you can choose a reasonably priced solar AC by contacting us.

Does a solar AC need a battery?

Solar air conditioners (AC) do not necessarily require a battery to operate. However, you can incorporate a battery into the solar air conditioning system according to your requirements.

Generally, when purchasing a hybrid solar air conditioner, which is the most popular option for most people, some individuals might opt to buy batteries as an accessory.
If you are considering a DC-only solar air conditioner, the majority of people do not purchase batteries along with it. (we do not recommend this type, and there are few such options available on the market)

How to run AC on solar without a battery?

Most of people do not purchase a battery for their solar air conditioners (AC). If your solar air conditioners are AC/DC hybrid, they can be powered by DC (direct current) power from the solar panels when there is sufficient sunlight and AC (alternative current) power from the power grid when sunlight is insufficient.

Can solar AC work at night?

Yes, the solar AC can operate during the night time, relying on the power grid.

The reason is that most solar air conditioners are AC/DC hybrid, meaning they can be powered by DC (direct current) power from the solar panels when there is sufficient sunlight and AC (alternative current) power from the power grid when sunlight is insufficient.

How long do solar AC last?

Usually, a solar air conditioner could last for 20-30 years.

You may also be interested in the pages below

Xiamen Geno Industry Co,. Ltd.

Tel / WhatsApp: +86 13906057667

Email: cathy@geno-china.com