So, now there come some info about a new(?) breed of cooling solutions.  Granted they are in the embryonic stage, to say the least, but its actually being done.  Engineers in Germany have been working to turn that lemonade thrist inducing sunshine and turn it in to a cool breeze.  From the little bit I've gathered(most sites that refernce this are still in German), its nothing that's really groundbreaking.

However, its the application of basic ideal-gas laws in a practicle setting.  There are no electronics and very few mechanical parts.  Basically it goes like this:  Solar energy converts water (or some other liquid) to steam.  This steam is converted to mechanical energy via a turbine that in turn powers a compressor that compresses ambient air.  After compression, the no-longer ambient air is expanded in such a way as to generate cooler air than what was there originally.

More power to them.  And if they get the price right, I'll be signing up to get one as a supplimental system(or maybe even a replacement) as quickly as possible.  I'm sure just about anyone across the Southern USA would agree!