Exergo-environmental cost optimization of a solar-based cooling and heating system considering equivalent emissions of life-cycle chain

•Solar thermal and PV driven cooling/heating system with double-effect absorption heat pump is proposed.•Optimization against the specific exergo-environmental costs and cost saving ratio is performed.•Equivalent carbon and sulfur emission costs over the life-cycle chain are considered.•The ideal cost for cooling/heating is 1.10 $/kWh and 2.77 $/kWh with a cost saving ratio of 58.9%.•COP of cooling and heating is 4.5 and 1.04.