A novel model of the combined cycle of a solar-powered adsorption-ejection refrigeration system (CCSPAERS) is established. By analyzing the theory of this system and its thermodynamics, together with numerical simulation, it is found that it is a feasible method to overcome the intermittent character of a single bed solar adsorption refrigeration system. The estimated coefficient of performance for this combined cycle is about 0.4 under the following operating conditions: condensing temperature 313 K, evaporating temperature 283 K, regenerating temperature 393 K and desorbing temperature 473 K, using zeolite 13X-water as the pair. The higher desorbing temperature can be obtained when a vacuumed tube adsorber or a CPC adsorber is used. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.