Work

Development and experimental evaluation of a parabolic solar cooker for sustainable cooking in monsoon climates

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents the development and evaluation of a parabolic solar cooker tailored for tropical monsoon climates with high intermittent solar radiation. The system features a 1.32 m diameter dish with 95 % reflective polyethylene terephthalate film and a high-absorptivity steel pot, optimized through transient energy modeling. Under real conditions in Pereira, Colombia, the cooker achieved pot temperatures up to 265 °C and thermal efficiencies of 35.4–53.2 %. It successfully boiled 3 L of water in under 70 min and reached frying temperatures above 200 °C. The methodology combined material selection, geometric optimization, and experimental validation using local irradiance data. A validated transient model predicted pot temperatures with 15 % average relative error. Standards from the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE S580) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) were used to benchmark the performance. Daily use of the cooker for 6 h could displace 0.035 kg of natural gas, based on a boiling time of 40 min per liter. This translates into an annual reduction of 375.22 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per household. Cooking tasks such as boiling water or preparing beans generate 0.087–0.180 kg of carbon dioxide when using natural gas, with typical costs between 0.0032 and 0.0066 United States Dollars. These savings highlight the solar cooker's potential to reduce fuel expenses and environmental impact. In Colombia, where solar cooking is underutilized, this study demonstrates a robust and scalable design adapted to local conditions. The findings support the solar cooker's role as a clean cooking solution for underserved communities and contribute to sustainable energy transitions in regions with limited access to modern fuels.

Source: Journal of Cleaner Production

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.146416

Authors: Robinson Ramirez Gil, Beatriz Cruz Muñoz, H.E. González-Bravo, Rubén Dorantes Rodríguez

Institutions: Technological University of Pereira, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

Language: English

Topic: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,660