Based on experiences with an operating solar cooling system in south China, a low temperature driven solar cooling system has been proposed, and a new model of two-stage lithium bromide absorption chiller has been developed. Test results have proved that the two-stage chiller could be driven by low temperature hot water ranging from 60 to 75degreesC, which can be easily provided by conventional solar hot water systems. Relying on the successes of the above system, an integrated solar cooling and heating system with two-stage absorption chiller was constructed (cooling capacity = 100 kW). Preliminary operating data of the system has indicated that this type of system could be efficient and cost effective. Compared to the conventional cooling system (with single-stage chiller), the proposed system with a two-stage chiller could achieve roughly the same total COP as of the conventional system with a cost reduction of about 50%. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.