Development of a Technical, Economical and Environmental Sustainable Solar Oven Technology – A Field Study in Sri Lanka

Abstract: Large environmental, health, social and economical problems are connected with the use of fossil fuels and, in a dominating part of the world, also the use of firewood. The goal for this project was to develop and design an optimal solar oven system intended for food cooking and water pasteurisation. Further the advantages and disadvantages, compared with other energy resources were evaluated. Tests were carried out in Sweden as well as in Sri Lanka. An extensive range of prototypes were tested and sifted out to a small number of designs that were tested in Sri Lanka. A large number of evaluations and tests were carried out on many different materials, among others tests were conducted according to the international standard “Testing and Reporting Solar Cooker Performance ASAE S580 JAN03”. The report shows a number of benefits compared to previous reports on the subject, for example the development of indoor tests, the extensiveness and objectiveness of the tests, and the fact that the report combines extensive practical test results with solid theoretical background information. The test resulted in two solar ovens with the same parabolic design but made out of different materials. One oven is cheaper, simpler to produce and is considered for the target group poor people in developing countries. This is made out of a corrugated cardboard that is covered with aluminium foil. The second oven is more expensive but also more durable and is intended for more wealthy people in the west that wants a good alternative to regular ways of cooking food. It is made out of aluminium plate and mirrors.