We outline a proposal to enhance the market penetration of grid connected photovoltaics by coupling installation of one or two photovoltaic modules with that of a rooftop domestic evaporative air conditioner (evaporative cooler). They are popular alternatives to refrigerative air conditioners in areas with low average humidity and approximately 65 to 70 thousand domestic scale (5 – 15 kW) evaporative air conditioners were sold in Australia in 2001.

Modules could be factory-mounted atop an air conditioner and sold and installed with it, being simply oriented (azimuth and elevation) and connected by a trained installer.
The main advantages are the addition of another marketing channel for photovoltaics and installation costs reduction through sharing. There is not intended to be any particular link between the electrical load of the air conditioner and the energy supplied by the photovoltaics but this may be an important marketing issue and it will be discussed. Issues and impediments, related to compliance with standards and industry regulations, guidelines and funding rules will be explained and potential solutions proposed. Of particular interest is the location of the grid-connect inverter, to permit regulatory compliance and continuing photovoltaic energy supply in absence of cooler operation.