A review of the basic principles and theories of solid adsorption solar refrigeration is presented. The cycle performance thermodynamics is also reviewed, and the criteria for selection of adsorbent/adsorbent pairs are reported. The practically realised solar adsorption cooling systems were categorized by their adsorbate operating pressure ranges as low and high pressure systems, and their pertinent design features are given. Adsorption equilibrium models that account for the adsorption properties of a pair of adsorbent/adsorbate and act as state equations in analytical models of the machine are reported. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.