In this work, first, a transient simulation of a 5-ton capacity solar absorption cooling apparatus, installed and operating at NRI (Niroo Research Institute) in Tehran, is carried out utilizing the TRNSYS software. All the components (solar collectors, storage tank, auxiliary boiler, absorption chiller, cooling tower, air handling unit, heat exchanger and pumps) are modeled in the software. Then, the results of weather data, solar loop performance, absorption chiller performance, and the annular results of the system are presented and discussed. After that, a parametric analysis of the cycle is carried out. To this aim, the effects of various parameters on the performance of the solar absorption refrigeration cycle are evaluated and their optima are reported. The parameters affecting the absorption chiller parameters include collector area, storage tank capacity, the temperature set point for switching to the auxiliary boiler, and mass flow rate of the solar system. In the present research, the effects of the aforementioned parameters on the performance (solar fraction) of the solar absorption cooling system are investigated, the results are reported, and the optimum configuration is introduced. The results indicate that the performance of the setup is capable of 28% enhancement. The optimum values are collector area of 55 m(2), storage tank volume of 1 m(2), temperature set point of the auxiliary boiler of 77 degrees C, the solar collector mass flow rate of 1000 kg/h, and the collector slope of 33 degrees. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.