Solar Cooking
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{{CountryPageHeader|Costa Rica irradiation map, 8-5-22png.png||500}}
 
==Events==
 
==Events==
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{{CalendarAndPastEvents}}
:See also [[Calendar of events]].
 
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=={{HeadingNews}}==
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[[File:DivCurESSantaAna060914c.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Shyam Nandwani]] conducts a workshop on non-cooking uses for solar cookers in [[Costa Rica]].]]
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*'''September 2014:''' [[Shyam Nandwani|Dr. Shyam Nandwani]] spoke at the Promesa at Santa Ana organization, lecturing on solar energy and productive uses with solar devices and assembled Box Solar Ovens for heated/cooked meals. The objective was to learn how solar cookers and other solar devices could be used for other purposes and the sale of the end product. (For instance, heating sandwiches, making candles, drying herbs, etc., by using clean, free, and abundant fuel - the Sun.) The group now has the basic concepts and some possible uses. They plan to submit a proposal/project to get seed money (around $2,000 USD) to buy some materials and tools to start a small business, and to use part of the income to make the project sustainable.
   
  +
*'''August 2014:''' [[Shyam Nandwani|Professor Shyam Nandwani]] was recognized by the Energy Globe Foundation for his work as Energy Globe Ambassador for Costa Rica since 2012 and awarded the Energy Globe Silver Medal of Honor.
==News and Recent Developments==
 
[[File:Costarican_school_lunch_photo,_12-22-12_.jpg|thumb|300px|School lunches are warmed in solar ovens at schools in Costa Rica.]]
 
*'''November 2012: Solar Ovens used to warm lunches at educational centers''' - Due to electric rationing imposed by local Costarican Electricity utility company in January 1979, [[Shyam Nandwani]] made the first solar oven for his family in Feb. 1979, to warm the lunch cooked previous night. Shyam has observed the rising demand of our solar ovens at educational institutes to warm the lunch for the students at schools and colleges etc. According to school directors, the reason is to reduce the queue for using microwave ovens as well to reduce the electric bill for the institute and promote environmental culture for the students as well as also for the parents. [[Media:Costa_Rica-school_lunches,_12-22-12.pdf|Read the article]]
 
   
[[File:Rolando_Madriz,_Heredia,_Costa_Rica,_3-5-12.jpg|thumb|300px|Rolando Madriz demonstrates a solar cooker at National University’s solar energy laboratory in Heredia, March 2012.]]
+
[[File:Costarican_school_lunch_photo,_12-22-12_.jpg|thumb|250px|School lunches are warmed in solar ovens at schools in Costa Rica.]]
 
*'''November 2012: Solar Ovens used to warm lunches at educational centers''' - Due to electric rationing imposed by the local Costarican Electricity utility company in January 1979, [[Shyam Nandwani]] made the first solar oven for his family in Feb. 1979 to warm the lunch cooked the previous night. Shyam has observed the rising demand for our solar ovens at educational institutes to warm lunches for the students at schools and colleges, etc. According to school directors, the reason for using solar ovens is to reduce the queue for using microwave ovens, as well as to reduce the electric bill for the institute and promote environmental culture for the students (and also for the parents). [[Media:Costa_Rica-school_lunches,_12-22-12.pdf|Read the article]]
*'''March 2012:''' After a roughly 16-year hiatus, the [[Costa Rican Solar Energy Association]] (Acesolar) rides again, and they want nothing less than to capture the sun. They recently held a demonstration of solar cookers at National University’s solar energy laboratory in Heredia. Much of the lab’s research is geared not toward to photovoltaic production of electricity, but toward thermal solar energy – harnessing the sun’s heat that enters our atmosphere and channeling it to some productive end. [http://www.ticotimes.net/Business-Real-Estate/University-lab-taps-the-power-of-the-sun_Friday-March-02-2012 Read more...]
 
   
  +
[[File:Rolando_Madriz,_Heredia,_Costa_Rica,_3-5-12.jpg|thumb|250px|Rolando Madriz demonstrates a solar cooker at National University’s solar energy laboratory in Heredia, March 2012.]]
[[File:Green_Life_Academy_solar_oven_workshop.jog.jpg|thumb|300px|Checking the internal oven temperature at Green Life Academy workshop.]]
 
 
*'''March 2012:''' After a roughly 16-year hiatus, the Costa Rican Solar Energy Association (Acesolar) rides again, and they want nothing less than to capture the sun. They recently held a demonstration of solar cookers at National University’s solar energy laboratory in Heredia. Much of the lab’s research is geared not toward photovoltaic production of electricity, but toward thermal solar energy – harnessing the sun’s heat that enters our atmosphere and channeling it to some productive end. [http://www.ticotimes.net/Business-Real-Estate/University-lab-taps-the-power-of-the-sun_Friday-March-02-2012 Read more...]
*'''November 2010:''' The Green Life Academy located in Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste, held a solar oven building workshop for their grade school age students. The project was in response to a video from the previous week about the use of solar cooking in Western Africa.
 
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{{OldNewsLink}}
*'''November 2006:''' [[Solar Energy International]]’s next "[[Renewable Energy for the Developing World]]" workshop will be held 22-27 January, 2007, at Rancho Mastatal environmental learning and sustainable living center. The center is located in the last virgin rainforest of Costa Rica’s Puriscal County. The property shares a significant border with the splendid La Cangreja national park, in Sabana Grande. Much of the six-day workshop will be hands on: participants will help a women’s cooperative build and use solar ovens, design and install a solar-electric system, and build a methane biodigester, amongst other things. The workshop will also include overviews of social and cultural issues related to working in the developing world.
 
 
*'''March 2006:''' [[Sol Verde]]—a cooperative formed with the support of [[Sol de Vida]] and the [[Central American Solar Energy Project]]—coordinates promotion activities of 15 community groups, presents the annual “Fiesta del Sol” event, and operates a small solar restaurant with “delicious home cooking.” [[Sol Verde]] is headquartered in the [[Casa del Sol]] (Guanacaste province), which houses a permanent demonstration facility for solar applications with emphasis on solar cookers. '''''Contact:''''' ''[[Juan Arriaga Mora]]''
 
 
==The History of Solar Cooking in Costa Rica==
 
   
  +
=={{HeadingHistory}}==
  +
{{SubSection|Dr. Shyam Nandwani}}
 
Costa Rica has a rich resource in the presence of Indian-born [[Shyam Nandwani]], a
 
Costa Rica has a rich resource in the presence of Indian-born [[Shyam Nandwani]], a
Professor of Physics at the University Nacional in Heredia, a city near San Jose. Dr. Nandwani's personal interest and long time demonstrations of the power of the sun for domestic purposes have been an inspiration to many, not only in Costa Rica but also around the world. He has been a speaker at numerous international conferences, including all of the world conferences on solar cooking, and has been a guest lecturer at universities in [[Germany]] and the [[United States]], among others. He is a sparkplug in the coordination of networks of solar cookers, both in Central America and for the entire continent; almost single handedly, he was responsible for-the organization and implementation of the Second World Conference, held at his university. Surely, most Latin American solar cooks and promoters are familiar with his professional contributions.
+
Professor of Physics at the University Nacional in Heredia, a city near San Jose. Dr. Nandwani's personal interest and longtime demonstrations of the power of the sun for domestic purposes have been an inspiration to many, not only in Costa Rica but also around the world. He has been a speaker at numerous international conferences, including all of the world conferences on solar cooking, and has been a guest lecturer at universities in [[Germany]] and the [[United States]], among others. He is a sparkplug in the coordination of networks of solar cookers, both in Central America and for the entire continent; almost single-handedly, he was responsible for the organization and implementation of the Second World Conference, held at his university. Surely, most Latin American solar cooks and promoters are familiar with his professional contributions.
   
 
Another outstanding contribution to the world of solar cooking is a demonstration
 
Another outstanding contribution to the world of solar cooking is a demonstration
Line 25: Line 26:
   
 
Dr. Nandwani not only demonstrates solar devices in his laboratory; his home is
 
Dr. Nandwani not only demonstrates solar devices in his laboratory; his home is
also a model for all who want to live lightly on the earth. He uses solar cookers, one of which has electrical backup in case of rain, solar water heaters, even a microwave powered by a photovoltaic cell. The house is a delight to see and visit, a "must" in Costa Rica for solar cooker enthusiasts.
+
also a model for all who want to live lightly on the earth. He uses solar cookers (one of which has electrical backup in case of rain), solar water heaters, and even a microwave powered by a photovoltaic cell. The house is a delight to see and visit, a "must" in Costa Rica for solar cooker enthusiasts.
   
  +
{{SubSection|Sol de Vida}}
Another major actor on the solar cooking scene in Costa Rica is the organization
+
Another major actor on the solar cooking scene in Costa Rica was the organization
called Fundaccion Costaricense [[Sol de Vida]] (Sun of Life). This organization was one of those initiated in Central America by the work of an American, [[Bill Lankford]]. The network is known in the area by its Spanish name of [[PROCESO]]. More details of this work are given in the section on Guatemala, where the initial and largest project has been underway for some years, as well as in this section in headings under the other Central American states where similar organizations exist.
+
called Fundacion Costaricense [[Sol de Vida]] (Sun of Life). This organization was one of those initiated in Central America by the work of an American, Bill Lankford. The network was known in the area by its Spanish name of PROCESO. More details of this work are given in the section on [[Guatemala]], where the initial and largest project has been underway for some years.
   
An early activity of Sol de Vida in Costa Rica was (in keeping with Latin
+
An early activity of Sol de Vida was establishing a celebration ''La Fiesta del Sol'' (in keeping with Latin
traditions of celebrations) establishing one such event - La Fiesta del Sol, honoring the
+
traditions of celebrations), honoring the
 
sun and held annually. It proved to be a marvelous event for publicizing solar cooking,
 
sun and held annually. It proved to be a marvelous event for publicizing solar cooking,
calling attention of many to this technology. It is not an isolated activity but rather an
+
calling attention of many to this technology. It was not an isolated activity but rather an
 
integral part of the larger project, Sol de Vida. In 1999, the organization was awarded the
 
integral part of the larger project, Sol de Vida. In 1999, the organization was awarded the
 
National Prize in Energy ~ Innovative Project for its work. The Ministry of Environment
 
National Prize in Energy ~ Innovative Project for its work. The Ministry of Environment
Line 40: Line 42:
 
Environment.
 
Environment.
   
Sol de Vida has also created an educational facility, EduSol, to house its
+
[[Sol de Vida]] also created an educational facility, EduSol, to house its
promotional and teaching activity. The organization is recognized as an innovator beyond
+
promotional and teaching activity. The organization was recognized as an innovator beyond
the borders of Costa Rica, as well. Above, in the Multi-Nation Promoters section, the
+
the borders of Costa Rica as well. Sol de Vida was one of the Costa Rican awardees of the Small Grant Program in 2001.
United Nations Development Fund is mentioned, specifically its Small Grant Program,
 
which operates on the national level in many countries. Sol de Vida was one of the Costa
 
Rican awardees in 2001, and is featured in the Annual Report of the organization's work,
 
accompanied by an outstanding photograph.
 
   
  +
{{SubSection|Associación ANAI}}
 
Another Costa Rica project was honored at Johannesburg by the award of the
 
Another Costa Rica project was honored at Johannesburg by the award of the
  +
Equator Prize, offered by the same Small Grants Project program of UNDP. Associación ANAI, a local NGO in Costa Rica, promoted solar cookers that enable women to engage in income-generating activities, thus improving their living conditions and reducing the burning of fossil fuels. They reported a strong focus on encouraging women to pass on their knowledge to their children, thus promoting the use of solar cookers into the future. {{ArchivedPagesForHistory}}
Equator Prize, offered by the same Small Grants Project program of UNDP. Association
 
ANAI, a local NGO in Costa Rica, promotes solar cookers that enable women to engage
 
in income generating activities, thus improving their living conditions and reducing fossil
 
burning. They report a strong focus on encouraging women to pass on their knowledge to
 
their children, thus promoting the use of solar cookers into the future. The Equator
 
initiative prize is offered for community work associated with a World Heritage Site, thus
 
attempting to reconcile bio-diversity conservation with local livelihoods and household
 
issues.
 
   
  +
=={{HeadingClimateCulture}}==
As can be seen, Costa Rica, noted for many forward looking national objectives,
 
  +
'''See also'''
is a major player in solar cooking promotion in Central America.
 
  +
*{{WikipediaClimate|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica#Climate}}
 
  +
*{{NewAug19}}{{EnergySituationEnergypedia}}
==Climate, Culture, and Special Considerations==
 
 
*[[Solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables]]
 
*[[Solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables]]
   
 
==Resources==
 
==Resources==
  +
==={{HeadingFunders}}===
===Possible [[funders]] for solar cooking projects in Costa Rica===
 
*[http://www.kiva.org/about/aboutPartner?id=150 FUDECOSUR]
+
*[http://www.kiva.org/partners/150 FUDECOSUR]
*[http://www.kiva.org/about/aboutPartner?id=127 EDESA]
+
*[http://www.kiva.org/partners/127 EDESA]
*[http://www.kiva.org/about/aboutPartner?id=151 Fundacion Mujer]
+
*[http://www.kiva.org/partners/151 Fundacion Mujer]
  +
 
===Reports===
 
===Reports===
  +
*{{NewFeb17}}'''January 2017:''' [[Media:Promotional_Activities_of_Solar_Cooking_in_Costa_Rica_and_Other_Latin_American_Countries—It's_Necessary_but_with_Proper_Actions_Nandwani.pdf|Promotional Activities of Solar Cooking in Costa Rica and Other Latin American Countries—It's Necessary but with Proper Actions]] - ''[[Shyam Nandwani]]''
*[http://www.docstoc.com/docs/44278551/Sol-de-Vida-Improving-Womens-Lives-through-Solar-Cooking "Sol de Vida'" Improving Women's Lives through Solar Cooking]
 
  +
 
*[http://www.docstoc.com/docs/44278551/Sol-de-Vida-Improving-Womens-Lives-through-Solar-Cooking "Sol de Vida'" Improving Women's Lives through Solar Cooking]
   
*[http://solarcooking.org/docarchive/design_construction_and_experimental_study_of_a_domestic_solar_oven_cum_drier_in_the_climate_of_costa_rica.pdf The Design, Construction, and Experimental Studay of a Domestic Solar Oven Cum Drier in the Climate of Costa Rica] - ''[[Shyam Nandwani]]''
+
*[http://solarcooking.org/docarchive/design_construction_and_experimental_study_of_a_domestic_solar_oven_cum_drier_in_the_climate_of_costa_rica.pdf The Design, Construction, and Experimental Study of a Domestic Solar Oven Cum Drier in the Climate of Costa Rica] - ''[[Shyam Nandwani]]''
   
 
===Articles in the media===
 
===Articles in the media===
  +
*{{NewFeb20}}'''December 2018:''' [http://areweconnecting.com/building-hope-and-solar-ovens/ Building hope and solar ovens]
 
*'''March 2012:''' [http://www.ticotimes.net/Business-Real-Estate/University-lab-taps-the-power-of-the-sun_Friday-March-02-2012 University lab taps the power of the sun] - ''Tico Times.net''
 
*'''March 2012:''' [http://www.ticotimes.net/Business-Real-Estate/University-lab-taps-the-power-of-the-sun_Friday-March-02-2012 University lab taps the power of the sun] - ''Tico Times.net''
 
*'''February 2012:''' [http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2012/february/23/costarica12022308.htm Guanacaste Women Use Sun to Cook] - ''Inside Costa Rica.com''
 
*'''February 2012:''' [http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2012/february/23/costarica12022308.htm Guanacaste Women Use Sun to Cook] - ''Inside Costa Rica.com''
   
===Web pages===
 
* [http://solarcooking.org/espanol/solarcooking-faq-span.htm Preguntas Frecuentes de la Cocción Solar]
 
 
===Audio and video===
 
===Audio and video===
  +
*{{NewApr18}}'''April 2018:''' [https://www.facebook.com/LeTourDesPossibles/videos/2054867111463906/ Video of Dr. Nandwani showing his various solar cookers explaining how they work]
* [http://www.tubeoli.com//list.php?q=COCINA+solar&filter=on Dozens of Spanish-language videos showing solar cooking activities] - ''TubeOli''
 
  +
  +
*{{NewFeb17}}'''January 2017:'''
  +
::[[File:Dr. Shyam Nandwani - Promotional Activities of Solar Cooking in Costa Rica and Other Countries|none|400px]]
  +
  +
*'''July 2014:'''
  +
:[[File:Nandwani Solar Food warmers for Educational Centres in Costa Rica|thumb|none|400 px]]
  +
  +
===External links===
  +
{{FacebookSpanish}}
 
* [http://solarcooking.org/espanol/solarcooking-faq-span.htm Preguntas Frecuentes de la Cocción Solar]
 
{{CountryContacts}}
 
{{CountryContacts}}
 
[[Category:Countries]]
 
[[Category:Costa Rica]]
 
[[Category:Central America]]
 
[[Category:Central America]]
  +
[[Category:North America]]
 
[[Category:Americas]]
 
[[Category:Americas]]
[[Category:Countries]]
 
 
[[Category:Spanish-speaking countries]]
 
[[Category:Spanish-speaking countries]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
 

Latest revision as of 00:50, 29 December 2023

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Last edited: 21 February 2020      
Costa Rica irradiation map, 8-5-22png

Events[]

Featured international events[]

SE for ALL forum logo 2024, 10-3-23
  • 4-6 June 2024 (Bridgetown, Barbados): Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum - The event will be co-hosted by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the government of Barbados. It is a platform for government, business and finance leaders, entrepreneurs, and youth and community representatives from around the world to come together to broker new partnerships, spur new investment, and address challenges at the nexus of energy, climate, and development. More information...

Online events[]

Requests for proposal[]

  • Decentralized Renewable Energy Solutions utilizing Solar and Bio-Energy - Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments of ScienceDirect, is requesting guest-author submissions. The special issue, VSI: DRES is devoted to publishing research articles reporting the innovative designs and design interventions in solar thermal and bio-energy for decentralized energy systems (DES). It includes i) new and novel designs of prototype or commercial devices and technologies, their development, modeling and simulations and experimental validation; ii) innovations for processes, techniques, utilization, and applications; iii) novel use of materials for improving efficiency, performance, techno-economic feasibility, and sustainability and iv) research findings addressing the socio-economic, health and safety impacts, and life cycle assessments leading to proposing novel devices for DES. The Deadline for submission is 31 July 2024. More submittal information...
See also: Global Calendar of Events and past events in Costa Rica

News[]

DivCurESSantaAna060914c

Shyam Nandwani conducts a workshop on non-cooking uses for solar cookers in Costa Rica.

  • September 2014: Dr. Shyam Nandwani spoke at the Promesa at Santa Ana organization, lecturing on solar energy and productive uses with solar devices and assembled Box Solar Ovens for heated/cooked meals. The objective was to learn how solar cookers and other solar devices could be used for other purposes and the sale of the end product. (For instance, heating sandwiches, making candles, drying herbs, etc., by using clean, free, and abundant fuel - the Sun.) The group now has the basic concepts and some possible uses. They plan to submit a proposal/project to get seed money (around $2,000 USD) to buy some materials and tools to start a small business, and to use part of the income to make the project sustainable.
  • August 2014: Professor Shyam Nandwani was recognized by the Energy Globe Foundation for his work as Energy Globe Ambassador for Costa Rica since 2012 and awarded the Energy Globe Silver Medal of Honor.
Costarican school lunch photo, 12-22-12

School lunches are warmed in solar ovens at schools in Costa Rica.

  • November 2012: Solar Ovens used to warm lunches at educational centers - Due to electric rationing imposed by the local Costarican Electricity utility company in January 1979, Shyam Nandwani made the first solar oven for his family in Feb. 1979 to warm the lunch cooked the previous night. Shyam has observed the rising demand for our solar ovens at educational institutes to warm lunches for the students at schools and colleges, etc. According to school directors, the reason for using solar ovens is to reduce the queue for using microwave ovens, as well as to reduce the electric bill for the institute and promote environmental culture for the students (and also for the parents). Read the article
Rolando Madriz, Heredia, Costa Rica, 3-5-12

Rolando Madriz demonstrates a solar cooker at National University’s solar energy laboratory in Heredia, March 2012.

  • March 2012: After a roughly 16-year hiatus, the Costa Rican Solar Energy Association (Acesolar) rides again, and they want nothing less than to capture the sun. They recently held a demonstration of solar cookers at National University’s solar energy laboratory in Heredia. Much of the lab’s research is geared not toward photovoltaic production of electricity, but toward thermal solar energy – harnessing the sun’s heat that enters our atmosphere and channeling it to some productive end. Read more...
See older news...

History[]

Dr. Shyam Nandwani

Costa Rica has a rich resource in the presence of Indian-born Shyam Nandwani, a Professor of Physics at the University Nacional in Heredia, a city near San Jose. Dr. Nandwani's personal interest and longtime demonstrations of the power of the sun for domestic purposes have been an inspiration to many, not only in Costa Rica but also around the world. He has been a speaker at numerous international conferences, including all of the world conferences on solar cooking, and has been a guest lecturer at universities in Germany and the United States, among others. He is a sparkplug in the coordination of networks of solar cookers, both in Central America and for the entire continent; almost single-handedly, he was responsible for the organization and implementation of the Second World Conference, held at his university. Surely, most Latin American solar cooks and promoters are familiar with his professional contributions.

Another outstanding contribution to the world of solar cooking is a demonstration site at the Universidad Nacional, where an outstanding collection of solar cookers and dryers of many types and varied size and scope, from household to field army, can be seen. Here one can see, touch, and thus understand the use of devices usually only seen in diagrams and pictures. Students in the university continue the research of Dr. Nandwani by working on and testing new designs, making old ones more efficient, and teaching others about the technology.

Dr. Nandwani not only demonstrates solar devices in his laboratory; his home is also a model for all who want to live lightly on the earth. He uses solar cookers (one of which has electrical backup in case of rain), solar water heaters, and even a microwave powered by a photovoltaic cell. The house is a delight to see and visit, a "must" in Costa Rica for solar cooker enthusiasts.

Sol de Vida

Another major actor on the solar cooking scene in Costa Rica was the organization called Fundacion Costaricense Sol de Vida (Sun of Life). This organization was one of those initiated in Central America by the work of an American, Bill Lankford. The network was known in the area by its Spanish name of PROCESO. More details of this work are given in the section on Guatemala, where the initial and largest project has been underway for some years.

An early activity of Sol de Vida was establishing a celebration La Fiesta del Sol (in keeping with Latin traditions of celebrations), honoring the sun and held annually. It proved to be a marvelous event for publicizing solar cooking, calling attention of many to this technology. It was not an isolated activity but rather an integral part of the larger project, Sol de Vida. In 1999, the organization was awarded the National Prize in Energy ~ Innovative Project for its work. The Ministry of Environment and Energy, the National Power and Light Company, the Chamber of Industries and the Association sponsor that award for the Investigation and Development of Energy and the Environment.

Sol de Vida also created an educational facility, EduSol, to house its promotional and teaching activity. The organization was recognized as an innovator beyond the borders of Costa Rica as well. Sol de Vida was one of the Costa Rican awardees of the Small Grant Program in 2001.

Associación ANAI

Another Costa Rica project was honored at Johannesburg by the award of the Equator Prize, offered by the same Small Grants Project program of UNDP. Associación ANAI, a local NGO in Costa Rica, promoted solar cookers that enable women to engage in income-generating activities, thus improving their living conditions and reducing the burning of fossil fuels. They reported a strong focus on encouraging women to pass on their knowledge to their children, thus promoting the use of solar cookers into the future.

Archived articles

Climate and culture[]

See also

Resources[]

Possible funders[]

Reports[]

Articles in the media[]

Audio and video[]

  • January 2017:
  • July 2014:
Nandwani_Solar_Food_warmers_for_Educational_Centres_in_Costa_Rica

Nandwani Solar Food warmers for Educational Centres in Costa Rica

External links[]

Contacts[]

The entities listed below are either based in Costa Rica, or have established solar cooking projects there:

SCI Associates[]

NGOs[]

Manufacturers and vendors[]

Individuals[]

Government agencies[]

Educational institutions[]

See also[]

References[]