3 ms·

Just pair AC with dirt cheap solar panels and the problem takes care of itself. No need to by hyper-efficient when energy is almost free.

Feathercrown 2y ago
It may be cheaper or more effective to increase efficiency rather than offset the efficiency cost with more energy. Plus you can do both!
HumblyTossed 2y ago
Make the AC more efficient which means you could potentially run a smaller unit which means fewer solar panels.
Log_out_ 2y ago
Cooling storage? Generate a differential ahead of time?
- dr_orpheus 2y ago
  If you squint at it, this is sort of the premise of a ground source heat pump.
vundercind 2y ago
And where are those? Installed cost, I mean. Assume, like in most houses, none of the supporting electrical work has been done for solar already. Where’s the dirt cheap home solar?
nradov 2y ago
In much of the world, AC power demand peaks later in the day when solar power supply is minimal or zero. So pairing as you suggest would require a huge amount of storage capacity. Or in some places they could also use high voltage transmission lines to areas further to the west that are still receiving significant sunlight at that time. Energy is only free at times when we don't actually need it.
- Rayhem 2y ago
  A/C is interesting because it has something of a built-in capacity system. "Super" cool the building during times of the day when power is readily available, and that cooling then persists. You don't have to store the electrical power specifically.
  - nradov 2y ago
    Precooling or supercooling can maybe help a bit in a few areas but it won't make a huge difference in terms of solar power for AC. Most buildings don't have the thermal mass or insulation to gain much benefit. And you can't cool buildings below about 65 °F / 18 °C or else the occupants complain.
elric 2y ago
It's wasteful, and that "free" energy could be used for more productive purposes.
carapace 2y ago
The second law of thermodynamics would like a word...

Feathercrown 2y ago

It may be cheaper or more effective to increase efficiency rather than offset the efficiency cost with more energy. Plus you can do both!

HumblyTossed 2y ago

Make the AC more efficient which means you could potentially run a smaller unit which means fewer solar panels.

Log_out_ 2y ago

Cooling storage? Generate a differential ahead of time?

dr_orpheus 2y ago
If you squint at it, this is sort of the premise of a ground source heat pump.

vundercind 2y ago

And where are those? Installed cost, I mean. Assume, like in most houses, none of the supporting electrical work has been done for solar already. Where’s the dirt cheap home solar?

nradov 2y ago

In much of the world, AC power demand peaks later in the day when solar power supply is minimal or zero. So pairing as you suggest would require a huge amount of storage capacity. Or in some places they could also use high voltage transmission lines to areas further to the west that are still receiving significant sunlight at that time. Energy is only free at times when we don't actually need it.

Rayhem 2y ago
A/C is interesting because it has something of a built-in capacity system. "Super" cool the building during times of the day when power is readily available, and that cooling then persists. You don't have to store the electrical power specifically.
- nradov 2y ago
  Precooling or supercooling can maybe help a bit in a few areas but it won't make a huge difference in terms of solar power for AC. Most buildings don't have the thermal mass or insulation to gain much benefit. And you can't cool buildings below about 65 °F / 18 °C or else the occupants complain.

elric 2y ago

It's wasteful, and that "free" energy could be used for more productive purposes.

carapace 2y ago

The second law of thermodynamics would like a word...