Operation and measurement results of the solar cooling installation in Rethymnon village hotel

The solar cooling plant in the Rethymno village Hotel supplies cooling energy to the dinning room as well as it supplies hot water to its central Domestic Hot Water (DHW) network. The solar cooling system is based on an absorption type machine, LiBr/H2O, able to be generated at the level of 80oC, since it is of single effect. The favorable environmental impact of the installation is highly important since the oil displacement by the solar energy yields to high CO2 emissions reduction. The article displays the results of the operation of the plant and of the measurements made in field during September 2004. A successful day with good results (the 16th Sept. 2004) is given fully documented and it shows the reliability of the system as well as it proves its field efficiency. More particularly, three water loops are measured: 1. the cold water loop (supply to the building load) 2. the cooling water loop (rejection to the cooling tower) 3. the hot water loop (which generates the absorption machine) According to the results, the hot water from the solar field achieves the 70oC and 30 minutes later the cold water loop achieves temperatures down to 11oC, able to provide cooling during 5 day-hours (until 18:00).