Refers to any type of air cooling system that is powered by solar energy. Solar air conditioning is made possible through passive solar design, solar thermal energy conversion and solar panels or photovoltaic systems. A solar panel system, for instance, can power an air circulation fan and a motor to rotate a large disc filled with cooling desiccant. The US Energy Independence and Security Act provides funding for new solar air conditioning research, as it can play a significant role in zero energy and energy-plus building design.