During summer, you might rely heavily on your air conditioning system to cool your space and keep you comfortable. The comfort comes at a cost; if you use the AC for hours daily, you might pay huge utility bills at the end of the month. With solar-powered AC, the energy-efficient solution is within your grasp.

How a Solar-Powered Conditioner Works

A solar-powered air conditioning system integrates air conditioning and solar electricity. It captures energy from the sun and then uses it to power your air conditioner, cooling your space.

You can store the solar panel's energy in batteries or use it directly. It is called DC power. Your solar air conditioner uses the DC power directly as DC or after conversion into AC using an inverter and heats or cools your space. Solar-powered AC units collect energy in the following two ways:

  • Solar thermal systems — The systems use the sun's heat to warm or boil water, which then changes the refrigerant into a heat-absorbing gas that offers air-conditioned air into your home.

  • Photovoltaic systems — They use photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

Different Types of Solar-Powered Air Conditioners

The available conditioning options include the following:

Direct Current Solar-Powered Conditioners

Also called conventional conditioners, these air conditioners work through direct current electricity. The solar panel units are wired directly to your air conditioner, and the system receives energy from the solar panels.

You run a system using batteries that solar power charges. Therefore, you can run the whole system off-grid. The solar panels use photovoltaic cells to harness sunlight and transform it into electricity.

The advantages of a DC-powered air conditioner include the following:

  • Since the solar panel generates direct current electricity, running off your solar panel cannot be an issue.

  • They are simple to install and maintain

  • DC-powered air conditioners are the most suitable for total off-grid use

  • Unlike other air conditioner options, you can use it with limited additional equipment costs.

The drawback of DC-powered conditioners is that a homeowner must have a big battery to store energy for night usage.

Alternating Current (AC) Solar Air Conditioners

This option is the most popular. For the AC air conditioner to run on solar energy, it needs an inverter, which converts the direct current from your solar panel units into alternating current.

The pros of AC solar-powered air conditioners include the following:

  • You can run your AC air conditioner on grid power and solar panels

  • AC solar-powered conditioners may also be integrated into your grid to function as a conventional air conditioner. You do not have to incur additional equipment costs because the conditioner can also function on AC power.

  • If you have integrated the solar AC with the grid, you could give extra power generated to the electricity grid and receive credits through net metering.

Hybrid-Powered Solar Air Conditioner

These types of conditioners run on AC and DC simultaneously without issues. Hybrid units require connection to solar panels, the grid, and batteries. The hybrid then uses the appropriate energy source based on power load and time.

Advantages of hybrid solar-powered air conditioners include the following:

  • They adapt to run effectively in different weather conditions

  • There are no extra equipment costs, like an inverter, resulting in less overall cost

  • These hybrid systems can change between grid power and solar power seamlessly.

However, you must charge your batteries and install the system off-grid for the hybrid solar unit to work.

Pros and cons

The pros and drawbacks of a solar-powered air conditioner include the following:

Advantages

The pros of solar-powered air conditioners are as follows:

  • Integration with existing system—Most solar systems can function with your current AC system without replacing your current one.

  • Blackout protection — If your AC system operates on the sun’s energy, you will not experience outages that affect the grid.

  • Save you money — Powering your air conditioner uses a substantial amount of energy, but using your solar-powered conditioner saves you money on your monthly electricity bill.

  • Available financial incentives

  • Functions optimally when there is sunlight — The conditioner works optimally when it is sunny. When there is sunlight, you can rest assured knowing your unit will perform best during the hottest times of the day.

Drawbacks of a Soar Air Conditioning System

  • The disadvantages of solar-powered air conditioners include the following:

  • Expensive — These solar units need a substantial upfront investment, but financial incentives could help lower the total cost.

  • Do not function at night— The solar system does not work optimally at night unless you have a backup battery.

  • Does not function optimally during cloudy weather

Considerations When Switching to a Solar-Powered Air Conditioner

When selecting a solar-powered air conditioner, you should consider the following:

Your Climate

Some areas experience sufficient sunlight capable of sustaining solar panels, while others have less optimal solar power climates. Depending on your climatic setup, you may require a larger battery to bank your energy when there is lots of sunlight or additional panels to collect more solar energy.

Battery Options

When you go off-grid, you will require batteries to store solar energy, for night use, and when the weather is cloudy.

It is also advisable to have batteries when living in a hot climate that does not cool at night without an air conditioner.

Your Home’s Size

Bigger homes require more AC capacity for cooling; you will require more watts of solar power to cool your house or solar panels that produce sufficient energy. The approximate AC solar unit requires about 3,000 to 6,000 watts, which on average costs between $0.70 and $1.50 per watt.

Solar-Powered Central Air vs. Mini-Splits

A notable difference between conventional central air conditioning and mini-splits is energy efficiency. A closed-loop mini-split system has more energy efficiency than a central air conditioner. Based on the form of your split system, it may be up to four times more effective than central air conditioning.

Moreover, minisplit systems could be zoned; they can only cool the spaces of your home that require it. It could save energy and lower your cooling costs. On the contrary, traditional central air conditioners pump the same temperature air throughout centralized ductwork.

Ductless heat pumps or mini-split conditioners are more versatile than central air conditioners, and you can install them in different spaces. They are ideal for homes without ductwork, room additions, locations that are hard to cool using the central air conditioning system, and garages. You can use them in an older home that does not require extensive renovation.

Depending on your home's layout, installing your mini-split system costs more upfront than installing a central AC.

How to Install Your Solar AC Unit

The step-by-step guide for installing your air conditioner is as follows:

  • Select a proper location — Solar-powered air conditioners should be placed strategically for effective cooling.

  • Mounting your air conditioner — When a solar air conditioner is mounted on your roof, it collects the sun’s energy to run efficiently. When buying an AC, select the type that effectively serves your needs.

  • Connecting your air conditioner — You can install the solar-powered air conditioner panels on your rooftop. The solar cooling part cools air using heat derived from direct sunlight. An inverter changes direct current (DC) power into usable solar energy to operate your air conditioner. Connecting the thermal panel to your solar air conditioner enables the sun’s energy to operate the AC system’s refrigerant.

  • Testing your air conditioner — After installing a solar conditioner, you should test the unit to ensure it works properly, even if you are replacing your old system. Ensure that the conditioner’s thermostat is adjusted to the appropriate temperature and is working accurately. Clogged air filters sometimes limit airflow and lessen the solar air conditioning system’s efficiency. Therefore, ensure that the solar-powered air conditioner’s filters are clean and in optimal condition. Finally, inspect the electrical connections to confirm that they are tightly secured.

Care and Maintenance of Your Air Conditioner

How often you should maintain your solar AC depends on where you reside, the environment, the weather, and the climate. If, for instance, you reside in a region with a storm season, you should clean the panel more frequently during that time of the year.

You can keep your solar-powered air conditioner in optimal condition by doing the following:

Keeping the Panel Clean

Your solar panel should be free from dirt, dust, and other particles. To keep your solar panel dust-free and clean, rinse it regularly with a hose.

Solar installation firms recommend cleaning solar panels twice yearly, irrespective of where you reside. It reduces the chances of a lot of debris and dirt collecting on the panels. The longer you take to clean the panels, the harder it is to clean them.

Furthermore, you should cover the solar panel during heavy snow or rain to prevent dirt buildup. You can hire professional cleaning services to prolong your solar-powered conditioner's lifespan.

The best time to clean your solar AC system is in the early morning, when your panels are fresh. Cleaning them when they are exposed to sunlight or warm temperatures; a combination of cold and hot water could generate thermal stress, damaging the equipment.

Avoid Overcharging

Overcharging your solar-powered air conditioner can be hazardous and could result in an unexpected failure. Since solar-powered air conditioners use the energy from the sun to keep recharging their batteries, you should opt for a solar panel that does not need a grid connection, an inverter, or a charge regulator; these items may result in avoidable energy losses.

A solar-powered air conditioner that merges photovoltaic (PV) technology with direct current (DC) cooling could ensure energy efficiency while avoiding overcharging.

Good Storage of the Solar-Powered Air Conditioner

You should store your solar-powered air conditioning system in a cool, dry place.

Monitoring Your System's Health

Low energy output could indicate something is obstructing the panels, preventing them from generating their normal electricity amount. Integrating a monitoring system into the setup allows you to track how much energy the solar panels produce on a specific day and over time. It helps you determine whether external factors are affecting the system's performance. You can also know whether the unit is malfunctioning so that you can replace or repair it.

How Solar Air Conditioners Can Save You Money

Switching to solar can be a game-changer for your wallet in the following ways:

Long-Term Savings vs. Initial Investment

While installing your solar air conditioner unit can be expensive, the system can offer efficient cooling without depending heavily on conventional electricity sources. Over time, the savings could surpass your initial expense.

Rebates and Incentives Available

One attractive facet of going solar is the availability of rebates and incentives for homeowners who desire to install solar AC.

The federal government provides a solar tax credit to all citizens who own a home on which they install solar panel units. The credit is thirty percent of the total installation cost, but you can only claim it if you have a tax liability to claim the credit.

While California no longer provides solar incentives and rebates for homeowners who want to go solar, many solar programs can help you take charge of your energy bills, including the following:

  • Property tax exclusion

  • Federal solar tax credit

  • Self-Generation Incentive Program

  • Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Solar Homes

Reduced Utility Bills

Reduced utility bills are the most compelling reason individuals go solar. By harnessing sunlight as your energy source, the system allows you to substantially lower your dependence on grid electricity during peak cooling seasons (when rates are high), reducing your monthly bills.

Find a Competent Solar-Powered AC Installation Service Provider Near Me

Like most homeowners, you want to keep your home cool during the summer using an air conditioning system. However, running the AC units consumes a lot of energy and money. Using solar-powered air conditioners, you stay cool and cut down on your carbon footprint and energy costs. The skilled team at Sun Solar Electrical is committed to offering quality in all installs, service calls, and products we offer throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. We can also handle any of your maintenance, AC cleaning, and repair needs. Please call us at 707-658-2157 to receive your free solar air conditioning quote.