A new hybrid system of solar powered water healer and adsorption ice maker has been proposed. The working principle of the combined cycles of solar refigeration and hearing is described, theoretical simulation to the thermodynamic processes has been made. Experiments have been performed in a developed prototype hybrid system; it is verified that the hybrid system is capable of heating 60 kg water to about 90 degrees C as well as producing ice at 10 kg per day with a 2-m(2) solar collector. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.