Performance evaluation of novel solar-powered domestic air cooler with Peltier modules

Shifting of air conditioning and ventilation plants from conventional to renewable energy systems is one of the effective ways to save energy and attain sustainability. In this experimental study, an effort has been made to design, fabricate, and evaluate the cooling performance of a solar-powered domestic air cooler with Peltier plates to meet the comfort criteria as per ASHRAE standards. It also investigates the effect of Peltier modules on the performance of conventional room air cooler. The experiments were conducted in a 12×12 room with one, two, three, and four Peltier modules operating at various ambient temperatures. The experiments were repeated three times at specified conditions. Peltier effect was used to decrease water temperature, and subsequently cooled water was used to decrease the temperature of the air after coming in contact with this water. The cooled air was then used to create a comfort zone. The results indicated a decrease in temperature of the experimental zone by 5 %, 13 %, 19 %, and 23 % using one, two, three, and four Peltier modules respectively. The increase in relative humidity was recorded as 5 % at 27 °C temperature of the experimental zone. The results of energy analysis showed a substantial amount of energy savings in this study and suggest that more than 200 MW energy can be saved by replacing conventional electric air coolers all over the country with proposed Peltier based domestic solar powered air cooler.