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• Two innovative small-scale CCHP solar ORC systems are modelled in TRNSYS/MATLAB. • The two systems are powered by two different CSP technologies: CPC and LFR. • The performance is analysed varying location and composition of global irradiance. • The DNI/GHI ratio has an influence on the system performance. • Useful hints for the selection of the best CSP technology with DNI are provided. In this paper, two innovative small-scale solar Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) trigeneration plants are investigated and compared using a simulation analysis. In particular, the first plant (Plant 1) consists of a 146 m2 Compound Parabolic Collectors (CPC) solar field, a 3 m3 diathermic oil storage tank, a 3.5 kWe ORC plant and a 17 kWc absorption chiller, while the second plant (Plant 2) consists of a Linear Fresnel Reflectors (LFR) solar field of equal reflecting area, a phase change material storage tank equipped with reversible heat pipes, a 3.2 kWe ORC unit and the same 17 kWc absorption chiller as the former. The dynamic performance of the considered plants has been assessed for two Italian locations representative of the European Mediterranean area, Napoli and Messina, having a similar global radiation but a significantly different ratio of direct normal irradiance to diffuse irradiance. The comparison between the two different solar ORC trigeneration systems has revealed the great influence of the solar radiation on the effectiveness of such systems even for locations at similar latitudes. The energy production has been analysed both on a monthly and daily basis. Results have shown that while the performance of Plant 1 is not so sensitive to location and radiation conditions, Plant 2 is greatly affected by these parameters. Moreover, the higher condensing temperatures necessary in summer to supply the absorption chiller significantly limit the electrical efficiency of the solar CPC ORC. On the contrary, the LFR technology allows the achievement of higher temperatures and conversion efficiencies in summer, thus resulting especially suitable for solar cooling applications. In conclusion, this study has highlighted the importance of adequate technology selection with different radiation conditions in order to better exploit the potential of trigenerative solar ORC systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]