In this paper, an innovative target-oriented desorption methodology for decreasing the regeneration temperature of solid-gas thermochemical sorption refrigeration system is presented. This method uses a two-stage desorption thermodynamic cycle with two different reactive salts to decrease the overall driving heat source temperature. The working principle of the proposed desorption methodology is based on the different thermochemical equilibrium characteristics of reactive salts. Experimental verification showed that the proposed two-stage desorption methodology is feasible and effective in lowering the regeneration temperature of solid-gas thermochemical sorption refrigeration system. Moreover, the extent to which the regeneration temperature is lowered can be regulated by choosing the appropriate secondary reactive salt according to the available driving heat source temperature. The presented target-oriented desorption methodology can contribute to the widening of the scope of application of thermochemical sorption refrigeration technology utilizing low-grade thermal energy or renewable energy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.