Performance Prediction of a Solar‐Assisted Hybrid Desiccant Evaporative Cooling System for Saudi Arabia

This study addresses the performance limitations of standalone desiccant cooling systems in extreme climates by developing and optimizing a solar‐assisted hybrid desiccant evaporative cooling (SHDEC) system specifically for the hot and humid coastal climate of Saudi Arabia. The novel system configuration integrates a solid desiccant wheel, an indirect evaporative cooler (IEC), a heat pump, and a solar–thermal array for regeneration. Through extensive transient TRNSYS simulations and a detailed parametric analysis, key system parameters were optimized. The final SHDEC system achieved a solar fraction (SF) of 69%, maintained comfortable indoor conditions for 88% of the year, and demonstrated a coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.1, which rose to 4.9 when considering only grid‐supplied energy. Key findings from the parametric study identified an 80 m 2 glazed flat plate (FP) collector array, a 4 m 3 thermal storage tank, a 400 mm desiccant rotor, and a 2‐ton heat pump as the optimal configuration. The results confirm the SHDEC system as a highly viable and sustainable alternative to conventional vapor‐compression systems, offering significant energy savings and a path to reduced carbon emissions for cooling‐demanding regions.