In this study, a novel desiccant based air-conditioning system was considered. This system consisted of a desiccant wheel, heat exchangers, fans, evaporative cooler, electric heater unit to simulate solar energy, and refrigeration unit. A model was developed to investigate the utilization of solar energy in the system. In the model, the temperatures obtained from the experiments over the cooling season of 2008 and solar radiation data measured by the State Meteorological Affairs (DMI) between 1986 and 2006 years for Adana were utilized. The increase in the regeneration air temperature due to solar energy assistance for the days, on which the experiments were carried out, was calculated using the model. The results obtained from the model and the experiments were also compared with each other. It may be concluded that utilization of solar energy in the system increases the coefficient of performance (COP) between 50% and 120%. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.