According to the typical variable heat source of solar energy and the unsteady adsorption process of adsorption chiller,the research of cyclic transient characteristics of the solar-powered adsorption cooling system is presented in this work.A mathematic model of the whole system including the model of adsorption chiller,which reveals the transient operation process of the solar-powered adsorption cooling system,is developed and verified by experimental data.On the basis of the simulated results,the transient characteristics and the overall performance of the system,not only in the traditional open cycle mode but also in closed cycle mode,are both analyzed theoretically.Furthermore,the influence of parameters matching of components configuration and operation process on the cyclic characteristics of the system,such as the solar collector area,the water tank capacity and the chiller startup temperature,are discussed.The research in this work may play a very important role in optimizing the system cyclic process and improving the system adaptability especially under the condition of variable heat source. According to the typical variable heat source of solar energy and the unsteady adsorption process of adsorption chiller, the research of cyclic transient characteristics of the solar-powered adsorption cooling system is presented in this work. A mathematic model of the whole system including the model of adsorption chiller, which reveals the transient operation process of the solar-powered adsorption system, is developed and verified by experimental data. On the basis of the simulated results, the transient characteristics and the overall performance of the system, not only in the traditional open cycle mode but also in closed cycle mode, both both 6000 theoretically.Furthermore, the influence of parameters matching of components configuration and operation process on the cyclic characteristics of the system, such as the solar collector area, the water tank capacity and the chiller startup temperature, are discussed. research in this work may play a very important role in optimizing the system cyclic process and improving the system adaptability especially under the condition of variable heat source.