Abstract In the present study, water vapor adsorption onto silica-gel, activated carbon powder (ACP) and activated carbon fiber (ACF) has been experimentally measured at 20, 30 and 50 °C using a volumetric method based adsorption measurement apparatus for greenhouse air-conditioning (AC). The Guggenheim–Anderson–De Boer and Dubinin–Astakhov adsorption models are used to fit the adsorption data of silica-gel and ACP/ACF, respectively. The isosteric heat of adsorption is determined by Clausius–Clapeyron relationship. The adsorbents are evaluated for low-temperature regeneration with aim to develop solar operated AC system for greenhouses. Ideal growth zone for agricultural products is determined by which the steady-state desiccant AC cycle is evaluated on the psychometric chart and adsorption isobars. Steady-state moisture cycled (MC SS ) by each adsorbent is determined for demand category-I, II and III which are based on 60%, 40% and 20% relative humidity of dehumidified air, respectively. In case of demand category-I, the ACP enables maximum MC SS at all regeneration temperatures (T reg ), ideally sitting at 47 °C. The ACF enables double MC SS as compared to silica-gel during demand category-II at T reg ≥59 °C. However, the silica-gel is found the only applicable adsorbent for the demand category-III.