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The projects below are the most significant solar cooking projects worldwide. These projects were selected either because they impact a significant number of people, show new strategies for [[Promotion|solar cooking promotion]], or demonstrate new ways solar cooking is being used for [[income generation]]. They illustrate how solar cooking helps in achieving the eight [[United Nations Millennium Development Goals]].
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The projects below represent the most significant solar cooking projects worldwide. These projects were selected either because they impact a significant number of people, show new strategies for [[Promotion|solar cooking promotion]], or demonstrate new ways solar cooking is being used for [[income generation]]. They illustrate how solar cooking helps in achieving the eight [[United Nations Millennium Development Goals]].
 
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==Africa==
 
==Africa==
[[Video:Solar Cooker Project for Women from Darfur|300px|right]]
 
   
 
*[[File:Solar Circle program in Tanzania, 1-10-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Solar Circle]] public service exchange program in [[Tanzania]]]]'''Solar Circle uses barter system to distribute 3000 solar cookers in [[Tanzania]]''' - The NGO [[Solar Circle]] has learned from their solar cooking program in Masasi, southern [[Tanzania]] that people will work hard to earn a solar cooker. The group has created a bartering system with community leaders. The community chooses a service project and the beneficiaries organize and oversee the effort. Participants earn an solar oven for their involvement. As of early 2013, the program has distributed more than 3000 solar ovens, and built 40 houses for people who are sick, elderly, widowed, or disabled. [[Tanzania#Most significant solar cooking projects|Read more about how the barter system is organized]]. '''Lesson learned:''' A creative way for people to make a personal investment in owning their own solar cooker, and it need not necessarily be with money.
*'''The Solar Cooker Project helps to improve the lives of Darfur refugees living in [[Chad]]''' - More than 50,000 people in four Darfur refugee camps in Eastern Chad are using locally made solar [[CooKit]]s designed by [[Solar Cookers International]]. The project, which began in 2006, is run by [[Tchad Solaire]] and by the British NGO [[CORD]]. It is funded by [[Jewish World Watch]] and the [[Kozon Foundation]]. The project has improved the safety and survival of the women in the [[refugee camps]]. Previously, they were faced with dangerous and arduous trips outside the camps to collect scarce firewood. Two of the most extensive projects are at the [[Touloum Refugee Camp]] and the [[Iridimi Refugee Camp]].
 
   
   
 
[[File:ADES November 2012.jpg|thumb|300px|With assistance from the [[Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire|Swiss ADES Foundation]], women receive locally made [[solar box cooker]]s]]
 
*'''Long term investment in [[Madagascar]] has created a thriving solar cooking enterprise''' - The team of the [[Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire|Swiss ADES Foundation]] (ADES) started its solar cooking program in [[Madagascar]] in 2001. By 2012, they have taught the people of Madagascar to build and use more than 50,000 solar cookers, reducing local wood consumption by 65%. [[Madagascar#Most significant solar cooking projects|Read more detail about ADES' program]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Making a long-term investment with communities improves continued use of solar cookers.
   
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[[File:ADES_November_2012.jpg|thumb|300px|With assistance from the [[Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire|Swiss ADES Foundation]], women receive locally made [[solar box cooker]]s]].
 
*'''Long term investment in [[Madagascar]] has created a thriving solar cooking enterprise'''- The team of the [[Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire|Swiss ADES Foundation]] (ADES) started its solar cooking program in [[Madagascar]] in 2001. By 2012, they have taught the people of Madagascar to build and use more than 50,000 solar cookers, reducing local wood consumption by 65%. [[Madagascar#Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|Read more detail about ADES' program]].
 
   
 
[[File:SHEP workshop 2009.jpg|thumb|300px|New [[SHEP]] workshop participants and trainers]]
 
*'''Solar cooking "Avon Ladies" in [[Zambia]]''' - The [[Solar Health and Education Project]] (SHEP) began in 2007 to fund solar cooking workshops in rural areas of [[Zambia]]. The team, with direction from [[Alison Curtis]], developed a system to appoint a local leader at the workshop to follow-up with a group of participants to help and encourage using the new cookers. As of 2012, the solar team has ten excellent leaders who take turns spreading the solar news by setting up at shows, events, museum gatherings, school playgrounds, and clinics. [[Zambia#Most significant solar cooking projects|Read more about SHEP leadership training]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Creating a team of well-trained local teachers
   
   
   
 
[[File:Solar Cooker Project for Women from Darfur|300px|right]]
 
*'''The Solar Cooker Project helps to improve the lives of Darfur refugees living in [[Chad]]''' - More than 50,000 people in four Darfur refugee camps in Eastern Chad are using locally made solar [[CooKit]]s designed by [[Solar Cookers International]]. The project, which began in 2006, is run by [[Tchad Solaire]] and by the British NGO [[CORD]]. It is funded by [[Jewish World Watch]] and the [[Kozon Foundation]]. The project has improved the safety and survival of the women in the [[refugee camps]]. Previously, they were faced with dangerous and arduous trips outside the camps to collect scarce firewood. Two of the most extensive projects are at the [[Touloum Refugee Camp]] and the [[Iridimi Refugee Camp]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Find solutions for situations of extreme need with simple inexpensive technology.
   
   
   
  +
[[Image:Kakuma12.jpg|thumb|300px|Refugees from [[Sudan]] are trained by [[Solar Cookers International]] in the use of their new [[CooKit]] solar cookers.]]
  +
*'''A refugee camp in [[Kenya]] was the first to receive a large scale solar cooking project''' - The [[Kakuma refugee camp]] was formed in 1972 when Sudanese refugees first arrived in Kakuma, [[Kenya]]. Introducing solar cooking to the camp was [[Solar Cookers International]]’s first and largest refugee project, beginning in January 1995. Kakuma had considerable refugee turnover, but by 2004, when Solar Cookers International (SCI) concluded the project, the camp had tripled in size to nearly 90,000 refugees. Though rapid growth posed problems for assisting all those who wanted to solar cook, SCI ultimately served over 15,000 families. This project was one of the earliest to use the [[CooKit]] [[solar panel cooker]] to introduce solar cooking. The program also extended solar cooker technology to schools, especially primary school, through demonstrations, poems, songs and drama. '''Lesson learned:''' Creative thinking developed a simple solar cooker able to serve a quickly growing population of displaced families.
   
   
[[File:SHEP_workshop_2009.jpg|thumb|300px|New [[SHEP]] workshop participants and trainers]]
 
*'''Solar cooking "Avon Ladies" in [[Zambia]]''' - The [[Solar Health and Education Project]] (SHEP) began in 2007 to fund solar cooking workshops in rural areas of [[Zambia]]. The team, with direction from [[Alison Curtis]], developed a system to appoint a local leader at the workshop to follow-up with a group of participants to help and encourage using the new cookers. As of 2012, the solar team has ten excellent leaders who take turns spreading the solar news by setting up at shows, events, museum gatherings, school playgrounds, and clinics. [[Zambia#Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|Read more about SHEP leadership training]].
 
   
 
[[File:SunFire Solution project photo 3, 4-17-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Crosby Menzies]] demonstrates a [[parabolic solar cooker]] at a [[SunFire Solutions]] project in southern Africa.]]
 
 
*'''Johannesburg-based NGO has aggressively promoted integrated cooking in [[South Africa]]''' - [[SunFire Solutions]], based in [[South Africa]], has done more with its [[Crosby Menzies|publicity campaign]] since 2003 than any other solar cooking NGO to raise the profile of [[integrated cooking]] by introducing solar cookers, [[retained heat cooker]]s and [[fuel-efficient woodstove]]s across southern Africa. [[SunFire Solutions#News and recent developments|Read more about their projects]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Focussed, sustained effort has produced significant results in selected countries.
 
 
 
[[File:Solar_Circle_program_in_Tanzania,_1-10-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Solar Circle]] public service exchange program in [[Tanzania]]]].
 
*'''Solar Circle uses barter system to distribute 3000 solar cookers in [[Tanzania]]''' - The NGO [[Solar Circle]] has learned from their solar cooking program in Masasi, southern [[Tanzania]] that people will work hard to earn a solar cooker. The group has created a bartering system with community leaders. The community chooses a service project and the beneficiaries organize and oversee the effort. Participants earn an solar oven for their involvement. As of early 2013, the program has distributed more than 3000 solar ovens, and built 40 houses for people who are sick, elderly, widowed, or disabled. [[Tanzania#Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|Read more about how the barter system is organized]].
 
 
 
[[File:SunFire_Solution_project_photo_3,_4-17-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Crosby Menzies]] demonstrates a [[parabolic solar cooker]] at a [[SunFire Solutions]]' project in southern Africa.]]
 
*'''Johannesburg-based NGO has aggressively promoted integrated cooking in [[South Africa]] and [[Somalia]]''' - [[SunFire Solutions]], based in [[South Africa]], has done more with its [[Crosby Menzies|publicity campaign]] since 2003 than any other solar cooking NGO to raise the profile of [[integrated cooking]] by introducing solar cookers, [[retained heat cooker]]s and [[fuel-efficient woodstove]]s across southern Africa. [[SunFire Solutions#News and recent developments|Read more about their projects]].
 
 
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==Asia==
 
==Asia==
[[File:Shirdi_roof_collector_array.jpg|thumb|300px|Shirdi roof collector array]]
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[[File:Shirdi roof collector array.jpg|thumb|300px|Shirdi roof collector array]]
*'''Institutional solar cooking is gaining momentum in [[India]]''' - Completed in 2010, the world’s largest solar cooking system, designed by [[Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd.]], is functioning at the Shirdi temple, where a solar cooked lunch is served to over 50,000 people per day. The solar steam cooking system is comprised of seventy-three rooftop-mounted [[Scheffler Community Kitchen|Scheffler reflectors]] of sixteen square meters each. The dishes concentrate sunlight on receivers that contain water, generating steam that is piped down to the kitchen for cooking purposes. [[India#Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|Read more about the Shirdi project]].
+
*'''Institutional solar cooking is gaining momentum in [[India]]''' - Completed in 2010, the world’s largest solar cooking system, designed by [[Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd.]], is functioning at the Shirdi temple, where a solar cooked lunch is served to over 50,000 people per day. The solar steam cooking system is comprised of seventy-three rooftop-mounted [[Scheffler Community Kitchen|Scheffler reflectors]] of sixteen square meters each. The dishes concentrate sunlight on receivers that contain water, generating steam that is piped down to the kitchen for cooking purposes. [[India#Most significant solar cooking projects|Read more about the Shirdi project]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Solar cooking can be successfully used on an institutional level to save large quantities of conventional cooking fuel.
 
   
   
   
 
[[File:Worlds Largest Solar Cooking Class|thumb|right|300px|2,044 middle school students learn to prepare lunch with solar cooking.]]
 
[[File:Worlds Largest Solar Cooking Class|thumb|right|300px|2,044 middle school students learn to prepare lunch with solar cooking.]]
*'''Indian government makes major investment to teach solar cooking in schools''' - [[Ajay Chandak]] reports that included in the Indian government's five-year plan for 2012 through 2016, 30,000 million INR (approx. $600,000,000USD) is budgeted for solar cooking instruction in 500,000 schools. This will not only help in saving the environment, but it will expose millions and millions of school children to solar cooking and build the confidence that these systems work. [[India#One_of_the_Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|Read more about the event...]]
+
*'''Indian government makes major investment to teach solar cooking in schools''' - [[Ajay Chandak]] reports that included in the Indian government's five-year plan for 2012 through 2016, 30,000 million INR (approx. $600,000,000USD) is budgeted for solar cooking instruction in 500,000 schools. This will not only help in saving the environment, but it will expose millions and millions of school children to solar cooking and build the confidence that these systems work. On January 19, 2013, middle school students gathered on the grounds of JES College in Jalna, [[India]] to be trained in the use of a simple [[solar panel cooker]]. After a quick breakfast, and guidance from 205 trainers, a record-breaking 2,044 students assembled their own solar cooker and placed prepared ingredients inside to cook. After speaker presentations, they were able to enjoy the lunch they had cooked themselves. [[India#One of the Most significant solar cooking projects|Read more about the event...]] '''Lesson learned:''' An enlightened government is able to make the introduction to solar cooking happen at a level most non-governmental organizations are incapable of.
   
   
   
 
[[File:Indonesia CDM project, 3-27-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Parabolic solar cooker]]s provided in [[Indonesia]] through a [[Clean Development Mechanism]] project.]]
 
*'''30,000 parabolic solar cookers distributed in [[Indonesia]] to reduce kerosene consumption''' - Jakarta [[Indonesia]] officials began in 2007 to reduce kerosene consumption with the solar cookers as part of a [[Clean Development Mechanism]] project, with help from the German company [http://solarcooking.org/regional/Indonesia/solar_cookers_sent_to_islands_to.htm EnerXi GMbh]. Jakarta consumes about 2.7 million liters of kerosene a day. A family using one liter of kerosene per day emits two tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. Through CDM projects, developing countries can earn Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) based on the resulting amount of CO2 reduction. [[Indonesia#One of the Most significant solar cooking projects|Read more about the kerosene reduction project]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Some governments are seeing solar cooking as a effective tool to reduce pollution.
   
   
   
[[File:Solar_Cooking_in_China,_SHE_report_photo,_1-9-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Residents in northwestern [[China]] using their [[parabolic solar cooker]].]]
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[[File:Vajra Foundation Nepal 2013 multiple.jpg|thumb|290px|Bhutanese refugees demonstrating [[parabolic solar cooker]]s in [[Nepal]].]]
 
*'''85,000 refugees from [[Bhutan]] have solar cooked their meals in [[Nepal]]''' - The [[Vajra Foundation Holland]] (Stichting Vajra) has worked in the Bhutanese [[refugee camps]] in [[Nepal]] since 1995 to bring solar cooking and [[heat-retention cooking]] to the refugees there. By 2013 some 85,000 refugees were cooking their meals using these methods. The on-the-ground work is done by [[Vajra Foundation Nepal]] and financing is provided by the Dutch Lottery and the Dutch NGO [[Stichting Vluchteling]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Hard work and effective programs to introduce solar cooking can serve a large segment of a population in need.
*'''Large-scale use of solar cookers in northwestern [[China]] shows promise''' - [[Solar Household Energy]] has tracked the Chinese government's efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the region, because in rural [[China]] the predominant fuel for cooking and heating is usually coal. The government has recently utilized the carbon credit trading program of the [[Clean Development Mechanism]]. The results proved to support a profitable business model when evaluated in 2013. Since then, it is estimated over two million people have been benefiting from receiving and using 500,000 [[parabolic solar cooker]]s. [[China#One_of_the_Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|CDM project specifics]].
 
 
 
 
 
[[File:Indonesia_CDM_project,_3-27-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Parabolic solar cooker]]s provided in [[Indonesia]] through a [[Clean Development Mechanism]] project.]]
 
*'''30,000 parabolic solar cookers distributed in [[Indonesia]] to reduce kerosene consumption''' - Jakarta [[Indonesia]] officials began in 2007 to reduce kerosene consumption with the solar cookers as part of a [[Clean Development Mechanism]] project, with help from the German company [http://solarcooking.org/regional/Indonesia/solar_cookers_sent_to_islands_to.htm EnerXi GMbh]. Jakarta consumes about 2.7 million liters of kerosene a day. A family using one liter of kerosene per day emits two tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. Through CDM projects, developing countries can earn Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) based on the resulting amount of CO2 reduction. [[Indonesia#One_of_the_Most_significant_solar_cooking_projects|Read more about the kerosene reduction project]].
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[[File:Vajra_Foundation_Nepal_2013_multiple.jpg|thumb|290px|Bhutanese refugees demonstrating [[parabolic solar cooker]]s in [[Nepal]].]]
 
*'''85,000 refugees from Bhutan have solar cooked their meals in Nepal''' - The [[Vajra Foundation Holland]] (Stichting Vajra) has worked in the Bhutanese [[refugee camps]] in [[Nepal]] since 1995 to bring solar cooking and [[heat-retention cooking]] to the refugees there. By 2013 some 85,000 refugees were cooking their meals using these methods. The on-the-ground work is done by [[Vajra Foundation Nepal]] and financing is provided by the Dutch Lottery and the Dutch NGO [[Stichting Vluchteling]].
 
   
 
==Latin America==
 
==Latin America==
[[Image:Bolivia-Inti_blue_box_cookers_cropped.jpg|thumb|275px|Local villagers in [[Bolivia]] proudly display their recently completed [[solar box cookers]] using their new carpentry skills.]]
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[[Image:Bolivia-Inti blue box cookers cropped.jpg|thumb|275px|Local villagers in [[Bolivia]] proudly display their recently completed [[solar box cookers]] using their new carpentry skills.]]
*'''[[Bolivia]] and [[Peru]] have benefitted from successful solar cooking programs''' - The French NGO, [[Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil]] and Bolivian NGO [[CEDESOL]] (working with Bolivian company Sobre la Roca, which produces solar cookers and high efficiency biomass stoves) have together trained thousands of Bolivians and Peruvians to build and use sturdy [[solar box cooker]]s and [[fuel-efficient woodstove]]s. Bolivia Inti-Sud reported in 2011 that they have distributed more than 20,000 ecological appliances since 2000. [[Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil#Recent news and developments|See Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil projects]]
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*'''[[Bolivia]] and [[Peru]] have benefitted from successful solar cooking programs''' - The French NGO, [[Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil]] and Bolivian NGO [[CEDESOL]] (working with Bolivian company Sobre la Roca, which produces solar cookers and high efficiency biomass stoves) have together trained thousands of Bolivians and Peruvians to build and use sturdy [[solar box cooker]]s and [[fuel-efficient woodstove]]s. Bolivia Inti-Sud reported in 2011 that they have distributed more than 20,000 ecological appliances since 2000. [[Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil#Recent news and developments|See Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil projects]] '''Lesson learned:''' Creative solar cooking introduction programs can include learning other valuable skills for participants.
   
   
  +
 
[[File:We are World Central Kitchen|thumb|300px|[[José Andrés]] explains the approach of the [[World Central Kitchen]]]]
 
*'''The World Central Kitchen has taken a comprehensive approach to helping the citizens of [[Haiti]]''' - The [[World Central Kitchen]], founded by internationally known chef [[José Andrés]] in 2010, has proposed and been implementing a sustainable solution to food shortages in Haiti. Their mission is to promote local food production and purchasing, educating the public about solar cooking and the [[integrated cooking method]], and using these new skills to create opportunities for local [[income generation]]. [[World Central Kitchen|Learn more about the World Central Kitchen]]. '''Lesson learned:''' Solar cooking can be part of a comprehensive program that can also stimulate the local economy for the benefit of the citizens.
   
   
   
 
[[File:Sustainable Rural life Hot Pot, 2-13-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Workshop participants receive their [[HotPot]] solar cooker in [[Mexico]].]]
 
 
*'''The HotPot solar cooker introduction in [[Mexico]]''' - [[Solar Household Energy]] (SHE), spent several years developing a [[solar panel cooker]] called the [[HotPot]], a variation on [[Solar Cookers International|Solar Cookers International's]] cooker, the [[CooKit]]. In 2003 SHE received a grant from the World Bank’s Development Marketplace to mount a HotPot promotion project in [[Mexico]] working with the Mexican nature conservancy, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza (FMCN). By July 2004, 2,000 HotPots had been manufactured and trucked to eight local conservation NGOs that had agreed to participate in the HotPot distribution initiative. Solar Household Energy may be the global leader in promoting solar cooking. [[Mexico#News and recent developments|The history of the HotPot project.]] '''Lesson learned:''' Quality solar cookers are appreciated. However, demand may not be able to be met without significant financial support.
 
[[File:Sustainable_Rural_life_Hot_Pot,_2-13-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Workshop participants receive their [[HotPot]] solar cooker in [[Mexico]].]]
 
*'''The HotPot solar cooker introduction in [[Mexico]]''' - [[Solar Household Energy]] (SHE), spent several years developing a [[solar panel cooker]] called the [[HotPot]], a variation on [[Solar Cookers International|Solar Cookers International's]] cooker, the [[CooKit]]. In 2003 SHE received a grant from the World Bank’s Development Marketplace to mount a HotPot promotion project in [[Mexico]] working with the Mexican nature conservancy, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza (FMCN). By July 2004, 2,000 HotPots had been manufactured and trucked to eight local conservation NGOs that had agreed to participate in the HotPot distribution initiative. Solar Household Energy may be the global leader in promoting solar cooking. [[Mexico#News and recent developments|The history of the HotPot project.]]
 
 
 
 
 
[[File:We are World Central Kitchen|thumb|300px|[[José Andrés]] explains the approach of the [[World Central Kitchen]]]]
 
*'''The World Central Kitchen has taken a comprehensive approach to helping the citizens of [[Haiti]]''' - The [[World Central Kitchen]], founded by internationally known chef [[José Andrés]] in 2010, has proposed and been implementing a sustainable solution to food shortages in Haiti. Their mission is to promote local food production and purchasing, educating the public about solar cooking and the [[integrated cooking method]], and using these new skills to create opportunities for local [[income generation]]. [[World Central Kitchen|Learn more about the World Central Kitchen]].
 
 
   
   
   
[[File:Villaseca_Solar_Restaurant_11-10.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Delicias del Sol]] restaurant in Villaseca, [[Chile]]]]
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[[File:Villaseca Solar Restaurant 11-10.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Delicias del Sol]] restaurant in Villaseca, [[Chile]]]]
*'''Solar restaurant in [[Chile]] has produced profits''' - The [[Delicias del Sol]] restaurant, known for serving excellent food, has become a tourist destination for the village of Villaseca, [[Chile]]. Begun in 2000 with an initial seating capacity of sixteen, the solar restaurant has been able to seat 120 since 2013. The dry central valley area receives over 300 days of sunshine a year, and like similar areas, traditional fuel sources are becoming ever more scarce and expensive. The tourists enjoy viewing the solar kitchen at work. [[Villaseca_Solar_Restaurant|Visit the Delicias del Sol restaurant]].
+
*'''Solar restaurant in [[Chile]] has produced profits''' - The [[Delicias del Sol]] restaurant, known for serving excellent food, has become a tourist destination for the village of Villaseca, [[Chile]]. Begun in 2000 with an initial seating capacity of sixteen, the solar restaurant has been able to seat 120 since 2013. The dry central valley area receives over 300 days of sunshine a year, and like similar areas, traditional fuel sources are becoming ever more scarce and expensive. The tourists enjoy viewing the solar kitchen at work. [[Villaseca Solar Restaurant|Visit the Delicias del Sol restaurant]]. '''Lesson learned:''' A well-run solar cooking business can be successful.
[[Category:Browse]]
 
 
[[Category:Solar cooking promotion]]
 
[[Category:Solar cooking promotion]]

Revision as of 23:42, 9 December 2014

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Last edited: 9 December 2014      

The projects below represent the most significant solar cooking projects worldwide. These projects were selected either because they impact a significant number of people, show new strategies for solar cooking promotion, or demonstrate new ways solar cooking is being used for income generation. They illustrate how solar cooking helps in achieving the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Africa

  • Solar Circle program in Tanzania, 1-10-13

    Solar Circle public service exchange program in Tanzania

    Solar Circle uses barter system to distribute 3000 solar cookers in Tanzania - The NGO Solar Circle has learned from their solar cooking program in Masasi, southern Tanzania that people will work hard to earn a solar cooker. The group has created a bartering system with community leaders. The community chooses a service project and the beneficiaries organize and oversee the effort. Participants earn an solar oven for their involvement. As of early 2013, the program has distributed more than 3000 solar ovens, and built 40 houses for people who are sick, elderly, widowed, or disabled. Read more about how the barter system is organized. Lesson learned: A creative way for people to make a personal investment in owning their own solar cooker, and it need not necessarily be with money.


ADES November 2012

With assistance from the Swiss ADES Foundation, women receive locally made solar box cookers

  • Long term investment in Madagascar has created a thriving solar cooking enterprise - The team of the Swiss ADES Foundation (ADES) started its solar cooking program in Madagascar in 2001. By 2012, they have taught the people of Madagascar to build and use more than 50,000 solar cookers, reducing local wood consumption by 65%. Read more detail about ADES' program. Lesson learned: Making a long-term investment with communities improves continued use of solar cookers.



SHEP workshop 2009

New SHEP workshop participants and trainers

  • Solar cooking "Avon Ladies" in Zambia - The Solar Health and Education Project (SHEP) began in 2007 to fund solar cooking workshops in rural areas of Zambia. The team, with direction from Alison Curtis, developed a system to appoint a local leader at the workshop to follow-up with a group of participants to help and encourage using the new cookers. As of 2012, the solar team has ten excellent leaders who take turns spreading the solar news by setting up at shows, events, museum gatherings, school playgrounds, and clinics. Read more about SHEP leadership training. Lesson learned: Creating a team of well-trained local teachers


  • The Solar Cooker Project helps to improve the lives of Darfur refugees living in Chad - More than 50,000 people in four Darfur refugee camps in Eastern Chad are using locally made solar CooKits designed by Solar Cookers International. The project, which began in 2006, is run by Tchad Solaire and by the British NGO CORD. It is funded by Jewish World Watch and the Kozon Foundation. The project has improved the safety and survival of the women in the refugee camps. Previously, they were faced with dangerous and arduous trips outside the camps to collect scarce firewood. Two of the most extensive projects are at the Touloum Refugee Camp and the Iridimi Refugee Camp. Lesson learned: Find solutions for situations of extreme need with simple inexpensive technology.


Kakuma12

Refugees from Sudan are trained by Solar Cookers International in the use of their new CooKit solar cookers.

  • A refugee camp in Kenya was the first to receive a large scale solar cooking project - The Kakuma refugee camp was formed in 1972 when Sudanese refugees first arrived in Kakuma, Kenya. Introducing solar cooking to the camp was Solar Cookers International’s first and largest refugee project, beginning in January 1995. Kakuma had considerable refugee turnover, but by 2004, when Solar Cookers International (SCI) concluded the project, the camp had tripled in size to nearly 90,000 refugees. Though rapid growth posed problems for assisting all those who wanted to solar cook, SCI ultimately served over 15,000 families. This project was one of the earliest to use the CooKit solar panel cooker to introduce solar cooking. The program also extended solar cooker technology to schools, especially primary school, through demonstrations, poems, songs and drama. Lesson learned: Creative thinking developed a simple solar cooker able to serve a quickly growing population of displaced families.


SunFire Solution project photo 3, 4-17-13

Crosby Menzies demonstrates a parabolic solar cooker at a SunFire Solutions project in southern Africa.


Asia

Shirdi roof collector array

Shirdi roof collector array

  • Institutional solar cooking is gaining momentum in India - Completed in 2010, the world’s largest solar cooking system, designed by Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd., is functioning at the Shirdi temple, where a solar cooked lunch is served to over 50,000 people per day. The solar steam cooking system is comprised of seventy-three rooftop-mounted Scheffler reflectors of sixteen square meters each. The dishes concentrate sunlight on receivers that contain water, generating steam that is piped down to the kitchen for cooking purposes. Read more about the Shirdi project. Lesson learned: Solar cooking can be successfully used on an institutional level to save large quantities of conventional cooking fuel.


Worlds_Largest_Solar_Cooking_Class

Worlds Largest Solar Cooking Class

2,044 middle school students learn to prepare lunch with solar cooking.

  • Indian government makes major investment to teach solar cooking in schools - Ajay Chandak reports that included in the Indian government's five-year plan for 2012 through 2016, 30,000 million INR (approx. $600,000,000USD) is budgeted for solar cooking instruction in 500,000 schools. This will not only help in saving the environment, but it will expose millions and millions of school children to solar cooking and build the confidence that these systems work. On January 19, 2013, middle school students gathered on the grounds of JES College in Jalna, India to be trained in the use of a simple solar panel cooker. After a quick breakfast, and guidance from 205 trainers, a record-breaking 2,044 students assembled their own solar cooker and placed prepared ingredients inside to cook. After speaker presentations, they were able to enjoy the lunch they had cooked themselves. Read more about the event... Lesson learned: An enlightened government is able to make the introduction to solar cooking happen at a level most non-governmental organizations are incapable of.


Indonesia CDM project, 3-27-13

Parabolic solar cookers provided in Indonesia through a Clean Development Mechanism project.

  • 30,000 parabolic solar cookers distributed in Indonesia to reduce kerosene consumption - Jakarta Indonesia officials began in 2007 to reduce kerosene consumption with the solar cookers as part of a Clean Development Mechanism project, with help from the German company EnerXi GMbh. Jakarta consumes about 2.7 million liters of kerosene a day. A family using one liter of kerosene per day emits two tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. Through CDM projects, developing countries can earn Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) based on the resulting amount of CO2 reduction. Read more about the kerosene reduction project. Lesson learned: Some governments are seeing solar cooking as a effective tool to reduce pollution.


Vajra Foundation Nepal 2013 multiple

Bhutanese refugees demonstrating parabolic solar cookers in Nepal.

  • 85,000 refugees from Bhutan have solar cooked their meals in Nepal - The Vajra Foundation Holland (Stichting Vajra) has worked in the Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal since 1995 to bring solar cooking and heat-retention cooking to the refugees there. By 2013 some 85,000 refugees were cooking their meals using these methods. The on-the-ground work is done by Vajra Foundation Nepal and financing is provided by the Dutch Lottery and the Dutch NGO Stichting Vluchteling. Lesson learned: Hard work and effective programs to introduce solar cooking can serve a large segment of a population in need.

Latin America

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Local villagers in Bolivia proudly display their recently completed solar box cookers using their new carpentry skills.

  • Bolivia and Peru have benefitted from successful solar cooking programs - The French NGO, Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil and Bolivian NGO CEDESOL (working with Bolivian company Sobre la Roca, which produces solar cookers and high efficiency biomass stoves) have together trained thousands of Bolivians and Peruvians to build and use sturdy solar box cookers and fuel-efficient woodstoves. Bolivia Inti-Sud reported in 2011 that they have distributed more than 20,000 ecological appliances since 2000. See Bolivia Inti-Sud Soleil projects Lesson learned: Creative solar cooking introduction programs can include learning other valuable skills for participants.


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We are World Central Kitchen

José Andrés explains the approach of the World Central Kitchen

  • The World Central Kitchen has taken a comprehensive approach to helping the citizens of Haiti - The World Central Kitchen, founded by internationally known chef José Andrés in 2010, has proposed and been implementing a sustainable solution to food shortages in Haiti. Their mission is to promote local food production and purchasing, educating the public about solar cooking and the integrated cooking method, and using these new skills to create opportunities for local income generation. Learn more about the World Central Kitchen. Lesson learned: Solar cooking can be part of a comprehensive program that can also stimulate the local economy for the benefit of the citizens.


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Workshop participants receive their HotPot solar cooker in Mexico.

  • The HotPot solar cooker introduction in Mexico - Solar Household Energy (SHE), spent several years developing a solar panel cooker called the HotPot, a variation on Solar Cookers International's cooker, the CooKit. In 2003 SHE received a grant from the World Bank’s Development Marketplace to mount a HotPot promotion project in Mexico working with the Mexican nature conservancy, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza (FMCN). By July 2004, 2,000 HotPots had been manufactured and trucked to eight local conservation NGOs that had agreed to participate in the HotPot distribution initiative. Solar Household Energy may be the global leader in promoting solar cooking. The history of the HotPot project. Lesson learned: Quality solar cookers are appreciated. However, demand may not be able to be met without significant financial support.


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The Delicias del Sol restaurant in Villaseca, Chile

  • Solar restaurant in Chile has produced profits - The Delicias del Sol restaurant, known for serving excellent food, has become a tourist destination for the village of Villaseca, Chile. Begun in 2000 with an initial seating capacity of sixteen, the solar restaurant has been able to seat 120 since 2013. The dry central valley area receives over 300 days of sunshine a year, and like similar areas, traditional fuel sources are becoming ever more scarce and expensive. The tourists enjoy viewing the solar kitchen at work. Visit the Delicias del Sol restaurant. Lesson learned: A well-run solar cooking business can be successful.