The increasing demand for cooling can be met sustainably with solar energy, especially with absorption-based systems that combine economic viability with environmental advantages. With an emphasis on system optimization and the effectiveness of similar collectors, this study assesses how well solar absorption cooling technologies function in semi-arid climates. Using mathematical models to simulate energy dynamics and cost parameters, a technical and economic review was carried out. System behavior, including component interactions and convection patterns, was modeled using TRNSYS. Three goals were balanced using a multi-objective PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) method based on MATLAB: maximizing system profit (SPR), minimizing payback period (PBP), and minimizing primary energy consumption (Qaux). Collector area, storage tank size, inclination angle, solar pump mass flow rate, and cooling fan airflow were important factors. When compared to flat-plate collectors (FPCs), evacuated tube collectors (ETCs) showed higher operating efficiency, attaining comparable solar ratios while using less energy. In the semi-arid climate, both ETC and FPC perform similarly. However, research indicates that ETCs are generally more effective across various applications compared to FPCs. On average, the collector efficiency is 44 % and 33 %, while the useful energy gain is 445 and 331 kWh/m2 for ETC and FPC, respectively. Obtained results indicated that the average reduction in CO2 emission is 70 kg/m2 for ETCs and 53 kg/m2 for FPCs. Finally, findings from this study revealed that the technoeconomic potential of solar thermal systems and solar adsorption cooling systems, including FPC, is the preferred option due to its lower cost in Erbil's climatic conditions.