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This paper presents research on the annual cooling performance of the solar adsorption heat pump (AHP), which applies a composite natural mesoporous material that is referred to as Wakkanai Siliceous Shale (WSS) as an adsorbent. One way to efficiently employ thermal energy is to reduce the sensible heat loss that occurs when changing the ad/desorption mode by extending the cycle time. The average temperature of the regeneration water for the half cycle time of 14 min was approximately 8.7 °C higher than that for the half cycle time of 8 min. In this case, the system with WSS + LiCl 20 wt% showed an increase in AHP cooling performance of approximately 15%. The higher adsorption capacity of the WSS composite enabled operation of the system with a longer cycle time. In terms of the annual operation of the AHP, although the achievable AHP cooling energy in Dubai was higher than that in Hawaii, much higher cost savings can be obtained in Hawaii than in Dubai because of the high electricity cost in Hawaii. The estimated payback periods in Hawaii and Dubai are 6.6 years and 15.6 years, respectively. • Simulations on annual cooling performance of a solar assisted AHP were conducted. • Performance of AHP is 15% enhanced as changing half cycle time from 8 to 14 min. • Payback periods of AHP in Hawaii and Dubai are 6.6 and 15.6 years, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the development of a docent manual as a tool for training docents at the Urban Garden Center in Pearl City, Hawaii. Reasons for choosing a docent manual; Manual development process; Contents of the docent manual; Use of the docent manual.