SolCool showcases new solar-powered air conditioners

Not exactly fitting the "startup" criteria any longer, SolCool is apparently freshening up its product lines by offering a snazzy new solar-powered air conditioner. Aimed at cooling smaller areas than its two-ton hybrid chiller, the 24- x 24- x 48-inch V4 actually touts cooling and heating abilities, runs on a 24-volt system, and can supposedly kick out comfortable air for "up to 24 hours" once fully charged by the sun. Additionally, the device will be equipped with two DC compressors capable of producing up to 18,000 BTUs, a ducted ventilation blower, lightweight / rugged skin, condensate management tank, remote control thermostat, and it can even be configured for use in the US or UK. Unfortunately, details specifications and pricing information hasn't been divulged to the general public just yet, but considering that Spring has now sprung, you should probably expect a bit more promotional information to surface relatively soon.

[Via Gadgets-Weblog]

[CL @ Mar 23rd 2007 7:15AM]

I need one! My room is toasty and I want to limit my A/C usage due to the unbelievably high electricity bill I get for the summer months.

Just hope this thing won't cost a few times more than regular units and then they tell you the initial cost is higher, but the long term cost is lower...etc, it still makes the high price tag hard to swallow.

[nxtwothou @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:57AM]

Frankly, this would be awesome for my garage. My gf stores the big dogs out there and I've splintered off the main house a/c for the garage, but, to try and cool/heat it is a nightmare on the bills and just makes the rest of the house that much more uncomfortable.

[Nando @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:58AM]

I wish we had one of these when hurricane Charlie went over us and knocked down our power. We went for 3 or 4 days in the humid summer heat. Ugh!

[Brian Erst @ Mar 23rd 2007 9:03AM]

I'm just amazed that they've finally come up with the technology to be able to run off either US or UK sunlight. The UK always had funny looking sun to me (sort of greyish all over, no big yellow glowey thing in the sky).

As to price, over at TreeHugger they were quoting around $2500-3000 plus $500 to install it and it cools off one room. ROI isn't exactly brilliant...

[dan @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:48PM]

Solar power and air conditioning could be a match made in heaven(!). You know, hot, sunny days, the air-conditioner works great, and cold cloudy days the air-conditioner doesn't work so well any more, but it's cold anyway.

Makes perfect sense to me.

[Lost Iron @ Mar 23rd 2007 9:00PM]

We could use such a machine in Pakistan where there is a lot of sunshine, would like to market this product in Pakistan there should be a good demand. If you can offer we can discuss the business proposal.

[Gordy @ Mar 26th 2007 7:19AM]

Well, depending to the warranty period, $2500-3000 plus $500 install could see an ROI in a couple of years. Nice.