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TCAAP Energy Integration Resiliency Framew ork Policy White Paper – Energy Supply Alternatives 25 5.2.2. Absorption and Adsorption Cooling Absorption and adsorption chillers utilize a heat sour ce to provide the energy needed to drive the cooling process. The fuel sources for the heat can vary from biomass fuels, fossil fuels, waste heat, steam, to hot water. Absorption chillers remove the necessity of electric driven compression motors typically found within standard compression chillers, reducing the load on the electrical grid. Applications of absorption and adsorption chillers will typically be determined by the availability of a heat source. This can be waste heat from the jacket of a recipro cating engine or combustion turbine or hot water generated through a solar thermal installation. Adsorption and absorption chillers are also more cost effective in areas where electric costs to operate standard compression chillers are high. 5.2.3. Solar Hot Water Heating Solar hot water systems are composed of solar collectors and a fluid moving between the collector and a hot water reservoir. Typically the heated fluid is pumped from the tank to the heat exchanger where heat is extracted into the air to heat the space, returning the cooled fluid to the tank for reheating through the collector. Solar thermal systems are most commonly installed on residential and small commercial buildings, however, large shared systems are also possible, such as in Saint Paul, MN . These systems typically have high capital costs, although savings come in the form of avoided natural gas costs. In climates where temperatures and necessary solar radiation are low, supplemental heat may be needed to maintain effective heating temperatures. In an effort to further improve economic viability, a solar thermal system used for heating in the winter can be used in conjunction with absorption and adsorption chillers for air conditioning in the summer months. 5.2.4. Solar Cooling Cooling can be provided through solar radiation in a number of ways. As discussed previously, absorption and adsorption cooling processes require a heat source. Solar hot water can provide the necessary heat source required to cool through these processes. In addition to solar cooling through solar thermal generation, solar cooling can be accomplished through solar PV utilization. In this process, electricity generated through the solar PV array is used to power a standard air conditioning unit. Some air conditioners are now b eing manufactured to operate using DC power. In the event a DC powered air conditioning unit is not installed, a DC to AC inverter is necessary to power the air conditioner. Applications for solar cooling are best suited when natural gas prices are high. Capital investments related to the installation of a thermal system are offset by the avoided costs of natural gas otherwise