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| ⚫ | *'''Hybrid solar cooker includes electrical back-up option''' - Since 2010, David Chalker, founder of the [[Sun BD Corporation]], has been working on a version of a [[solar box cooker]] that includes an electrical heating element, rated at 465 watts / 120v. The [[SunFocus]] has a built-in thermostat which will turn off the electrical heating element once the cooker has reached 150°C (300°F). The cookers are made in Waterloo, {{state|New York}}, [[USA]]. |
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| ⚫ | *'''Solar cooking works with solar lighting to help families save money''' - [[Stephen Pearson]], founder of [[SUN-LIFE]], has been helping residents of [[Ghana]] for many years save on cooking fuel expense by learning to use the [[CooKit]] solar cooker. His new goal is to help these families further reduce their kerosene usage by offering a low cost portable lamp to replace their fuel-burning lanterns. The new [http://www.minisun12h.org MiniSun12H] lamp has an integrated photovoltaic panel to recharge the lamp during the day. The projected retail price for the lamp is $5 USD. His reasoning is; if a family can save on cooking fuel using the CooKit, then they will have enough money to be able to buy the new lamp. Using both approaches, the families should be able to save $50-100 USD on kerosene expense annually. Money is saved, and [[indoor air pollution]] is reduced. You can help him with this project by supporting his efforts at [http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/goodbye-dangerous-kerosene-hello-safe-solar-minisun12h Indiegogo] fund raising. You can learn more about the new lamp in this short [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-vhlAefeU video]. |
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| ⚫ | *'''International aid organization seeks solar cookers for bakery in Burundi''' - The global relief organization [http://www.regions20.org R20-Regions of Climate Action] has organized a solar bakery project in Rutegama, [[Burundi]]. Currently the bakery, in operation since 2006, has relied on wood-fired ovens, with the wood needing to be gathered by the women working at the bakery. They are soliciting proposals from tenders interested in providing three institutional solar ovens required to convert the bakery to solar. The ovens must be limited to three meters (a little under 10 ft.) in height, and if carried, weighing no more than 10 kg (22 lbs.). <b>Update: new deadline of offers to be submitted by Friday 28th February 2014</b>. Interested parties will find more information here: [[Media:Invitation-to-Tender_Solar_Ovens.pdf|Invitation to Tender For Solar Bakery Project, Burundi]]. The scale of the project may be rather small, but the funding and implementation is coming from world leaders in the field of economic and environmental relief. |
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| + | [[File:Average_co2_concentrations_Oct-Nov.jpg|right|400px]] |
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| + | *'''Latest Nasa data shows elevated CO<sub>2</sub> levels over Africa and South America''' - According to [http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30399073 this BBC article], "Also apparent are the higher concentrations over South America and southern Africa. These are likely the result of biomass burning in these regions." |
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| + | *'''Solar Cookers International remembers Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis''' - As co-founder of [[Jewish World Watch]], Rabbi Schulweis was a visionary behind efforts like the Solar Cooker Project to empower and [[Touloum Refugee Camp|protect refugee women]] fleeing the Darfur crisis. He will be missed. [http://www.jewishjournal.com/obituaries/article/rabbi_harold_m._schulweis_world_renown_innovative_synagogue_leader_89 His obituary] is available online. |
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| − | [[File:Chile_box_cookers_2,_Guai_Bao,_1-14-14.jpg|thumb|300px|Recently constructed [[solar box cooker]]s in Ovalle, [[Chile]].]] |
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| ⚫ | *'''New solar cookers ready for distribution in Chile''' - Guai Bao, traveling in [[Chile]], sent along this photo of newly constructed [[solar box cooker]]s at a manufacturing facility in Ovalle. The cookers are well thought out. They are sturdy with insulated inner walls, and an internal high-back reflector to catch the sun. The front wall is low and slightly tipped forward to avoid blocking any sunlight. The external side reflectors appear to be able swing closed and protect the glass surface. They look ready to start cooking sitting on the small tables, which provides a convenient work height for users. The cooker construction is being supervised by [[Ruddy Viscarra]]. See more [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10152103262019407&type=1 assembly photos] on [https://www.facebook.com/groups/scwnet facebook]. |
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| + | *'''José Andrés details his use of solar cookers at Life is Beautiful event in National Geographic''' - In an article for National Geographic, Chef [[José Andrés]] writes about his pop-up restaurant, Sunny Day, which he opened at the Life is Beatufiul event in Las Vegas, NV. Sunny Day used solar cookers to cook their signature dish, vegetarian tacos, during the day and clean-burining ethanol in the evening. [http://theplate.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/15/life-is-beautiful/?sf6344569=1 Read article...] |
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| + | *'''Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen Restaurant featured in The Guardian''' - [[Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen Restaurant]], the traveling solar restaurant from Catalan designer [http://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mart%C3%AD_Guix%C3%A9 Martí Guixé], Chef Antto Melasniemi and Lapin Kulta beer, was featured in an article in The Guardian as an innovative user of solar energy. The piece discusses the journey of this experimental solar restaurant, including how they were able to cook in [[Finland]] in -15°C. Also featured are new innovations in photovoltaic technology, a new apartment in Hamburg, [[Germany]] which grows algae for fuel with solar energy, and simple method for water disinfection. [http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/dec/09/we-want-the-black-hole-of-sunlight-solar-power-breaks-new-frontiers?CMP=share_btn_tw Read article...] |
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| ⚫ | *'''India raises the bar for the world's largest solar cooking class''' - "As many as 3,484 children from over 80 schools participated in the largest solar cooking initiative Suryakumbha on January 4th, which has qualified as an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records. The emergence of renewable sources of energy as an answer to the imminent exhaustion of conventional energy sources pushed a Bhayander NGO, Keshav Srushti, to start with the most influential members of society, children." The class was held in Mumbai, [[India]]. [http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-3484-kids-take-part-in-largest-solar-cooking-session-set-guinness-record-1945468 Read more...] |
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| + | [[File:Basin-from-above-web.jpg|thumb|330px|[[Bjorn Qorn]] makes popcorn for sale with their [[:Category:In-the-ground solar cooker designs|In-the-ground solar cooker]].]] |
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| + | *'''Another business uses solar cooking to prepare their product''' - New-member [[Bjorn Qorn]] located in {{state|New York}}, [[USA]], has created a large [[:Category:In-the-ground solar cooker designs|In-the-ground]] solar cooker to cook their locally-harvested corn for sale as popcorn. |
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| − | *''' Rajasthan state govt. sponsors solar cooking systems for girls hostels''' - Two state run hostels for girls in Jaipur, {{state|Rajasthan}}, [[India]] have installed [[Scheffler Community Kitchen]] solar cooking systems to meet the cooking needs for 600 students. Each system has four dishes of 16 square meters and will help conserve 4,500 kgs of liquefied cooking gas (LPG) annually assuming about 275 normally sunny days. It is estimated the payback will be less than four years, reducing the financial burden to the state government. [http://www.energynext.in/girls-hostel-and-ripa-in-jaipur-get-solar-cooking-systems Read more...] |
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| − | *[http://www.amazon.com/?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&link_code=hom&tag=solarcookersint-20 Shop at Amazon.com using this link] and Amazon will give a percentage of your purchases to Solar Cookers International, the sponsor of SCInet. |
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| + | *'''José Andrés discusses solar and efficient cooking in Time Magazine''' - As part of the "What I'm Thankful For" series, celebrity chef, [[José Andrés]], explains that he is thankful that his family has a simple and safe method to cook their food, and how solar cooking and other fuel-efficient cooking methods are bringing this benefit to the world's poor, for whom access to traditional cooking fuels is becoming more difficult and expensive every year. [http://time.com/3595356/jose-andres-time-for-thanks/ Read more...] |
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| − | [[File:Adelante Con El Sol The Solar Women Of Totogalpa|thumb|350 px]] |
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| + | [[File:Hillary Rodham Clinton Cookstoves Future Summit|thumb|right|335 px]] |
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| − | *'''A quiet community in Latin America is making sustainability a reality '''- "The Solar Women of Totogalpa" is a short documentary film set in rural [[Nicaragua]] that follows [[Las Mujeres Solares de Totogalpa|a group of women]] in their journey toward a community-based, sustainable lifestyle with solar cooking as its centerpiece. Watch this excellent twenty-two minute film, and help the producers receive the Audience Choice Award by clicking on the "Like" button at the top of [http://www.povertycure.org/library/product/adelante-con-el-sol-the-solar-women-of-totogalpa-nicaragua this page]. |
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| + | *'''Hillary Clinton acknowledges solar cooking's role in solving cooking fuel crisis''' - In her keynote speech at a Global Alliance meeting, Hillary Clinton stated that students from the Clinton School of Public Service had traveled overseas to teach solar cooking. |
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| + | *[http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Special:UserSignup Create an account] and [http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Special:UserSignup log in] to turn off most of the ads on this site. |
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| + | *EG Solar has created a clever animated video short explaining the benefits of solar cooking - Visit [[EG Solar]]. |
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| + | ::[[File:The Solar Cooker by EG Solar e.V.-0|thumb|none|335 px]] |
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| + | *'''New SCInet members''' - The SCInet wishes to welcome new members [[Engineers Without Borders - Sweden]], established by Swedish engineer Stefan Karnebäck, working on [[water pasteurization]] projects in [[Cameroon]], and [[Bjorn Qorn]] with their solar-cooked popcorn business. |
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| − | [[File:ASABE_test_standard_image,_12-4-13,.jpg|thumb|230px|Determining the solar intercept area, ASABE S580.1]] |
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| − | *'''Technical testing standards for solar cookers updated''' - The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), based in St. Joseph, {{state|Michigan}}, [[USA]], has revised its [[Testing|solar cooker testing]] standard. The organization is recognized worldwide for developing voluntary standards for food, agricultural, and biological systems. Often sited in technical reviews, the updated version, written by [[Paul Funk]], will replace the current standards established ten years ago. The goal is to promote uniformity and consistency in the terms and units used to describe, test, rate, and evaluate solar cookers, solar cooker components, and solar cooker operation. However, it is outside of the scope of the standards to factor in cost, durability, and user satisfaction. Review the new standards: [[Media:ASAE_informal_Testing_and_Reporting_Solar_Cooker_Performance.pdf|ASAE information on Testing and Reporting Solar Cooker Performance]] |
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| + | *'''José Andrés debuts Sunny Day pop-up restaurant at Life is Beautiful festival''' - At the Life is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas, NV, [[José Andrés]] debuted Sunny Day, his new solar-powered pop-up restaurant. His goal for the new pop-up restaurant is to educate Americans about clean cooking around the world. [http://www.foodrepublic.com/2014/10/24/jose-andres-clean-cookstoves-mission Interview with José Andrés]. |
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| + | [[File:Wonderbag_image,_11-13-13.jpg|thumb|200px|Sarah Collins with the [[Wonderbag]]]] |
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| + | *'''Heat-retention cooker receives world attention''' - [[Wonderbag]] reports that over 650,000 of the brightly colored [[heat-retention cooking]] bags have been distributed worldwide. |
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| + | [[File:Morpho_Solar,_IEEE_Spectrum,_10-9-14.png|thumb|200px|[[Guro Seim]], the CEO of [[Morpho Solar]], and [[Catlin Powers]], COO of [[One Earth Designs]], prepare a meal on a [[SolSource]] solar cooker. - ''Morpho Solar'']] |
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| + | [[File:Solar Cooker Success in Afghanistan!|thumb|right|200 px]] |
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| + | *'''Solar cooking in the Navajo nation''' - [[Raquel Redshirt]] presented her solar cooker design at the TEDxABQ 2014 conference in Albuquerque, NM on September, 6 2014. She stated that her solar cooker was a more health-conscious option in her community which has a high rate of diabetes. |
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| + | *''' Norwegian start-up company tackles heat storage for solar cookers''' - [[Guro Seim]], CEO of [[Morpho Solar]], announced a breakthrough in the [[heat storage]] capabilities for solar cookers. [http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/green-tech/solar/solar-cookers-get-hot Read more...] |
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| − | [[File:Matthew Rollins CooKit variation (assembled), 2-21-12.jpg|230px|thumb|An early prototype of the [[CooKit]] [[solar panel cooker]] variation designed by [[Applied Green Technology]].]] |
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| − | * '''Lady Fatimah Trust finances several thousand solar cookers for Iraq, Lebanon, and Africa''' - A.G. Karim, chairman of The [[Lady Fatemah Trust]], based in the [[United Kingdom]], has agreed to finance several thousand solar cookers designed by [[Matthew Rollins]] of [[Applied Green Technology]], to be delivered to [[Africa]], [[Iraq]], and [[Lebanon]]. Matthew has also arranged for [[Andreas Fasoulides]], living in [[Cyprus]], to visit [[Pakistan]] to lay the groundwork for future solar cooking training workshops there where 100,000 solar cookers are currently on provisional order. Applied Green Technology is close to releasing their new solar cooker design developed from the basic [[CooKit]] solar panel cooker. Matthew states that the improved design will be able to be adjusted to suit sun orientation at any latitude location on the globe, and the added power boost allows for cooking to be done often without the need for a cooking bag. |
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| + | *'''Global Hope Network International delivers solar cookers to Afghanistan '''- The [[Global Hope Network International]] reports its recent success in transporting 300 solar cookers to rural villages in central [[Afghanistan]] where all 300 were purchased by villagers. |
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| − | [[File:UCI_students_receive_Gates_Foundation_grant,_11-26-13.jpg|thumb|250px|UCI students receive a Gates Foundation grant to help develop their design for a [[heat storage]] solar cooker able to cook in the evening when the sun is down.]] |
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| − | *'''The Gates Foundation recognizes solar cooking''' - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $100,000 to the University of {{state|California}} Irvine, [[USA]], for its development of a solar stove that allows people to cook without carbon emissions. The grant to the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UCI is one of more than 80 awards the foundation announced Wednesday, according to a news release. The awards are being given to institutions that foster forward-thinking solutions to persistent global issues. The stored-energy solar stove, which permits carbon-free cooking indoors and at night using phase-changing nitrate salts for [[heat storage]], was designed by a group of senior mechanical engineering students at UCI. [http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/30368 Read more...] |
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| + | *'''Increased demand and success for solar cooking in Mauritania''' - [[Solar Clutch]] has teamed up with Lutheran World Federation to introduce solar cooking to [[refugees]] entering [[Mauritania]]. Read more at: [[Media:Solar_Clutch_Report_Mauritania_2014.pdf|Solar Cooker Report Mauritania, April 2014]] |
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| − | *'''More Indian schools to get solar cookers ''(The Hindu)''''' - After experimenting with solar power in cooking the noon meal for students in a corporation school, the Coimbatore Corporation has decided to provide them to a few more schools. In August, Coimbatore installed two [institutional] solar cookers at the North Coimbatore School at Rs. 68,000. ...The civic body was keen on tapping alternative sources of energy to bring down reliance on conventional sources of energy and provide a friendly kitchen environment for workers, who had been struggling with using firewood. [http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/more-schools-in-coimbatore-to-get-solar-cookers/article5367329.ece Read more...] |
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| + | *'''Gourmet cook shifts to solar catering '''- Pierre-André Aubert used a mobile solar kitchen unit with an 8m² [[Scheffler Reflector]], mounted on a trailer, in summer 2014 to cook for various events in the south of [[France]]. {{GoogleLinkFromFrench|http://loubebert.info/blog/index.php?post/2014/08/19/Des-nouvelles-du-Gers|More info...}} |
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| − | [[File:Sun_Focus_magazine_cover,_11-18-13_.jpg|right|155px]] |
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| − | *'''Solar cooking receives a new platform to speak from''' - The second edition of ''Sun Focus'', a quarterly magazine devoted to concentrated solar heat has just been released. The new publication from [[India]] was founded by Dr Farooq Addullah. He explains that the magazine will focus on off-grid applications of concentrated solar technologies (CSTs) for the purpose of saving fuel oil, firewood, and LPG in industrial and commercial establishments using heat between 80 °C and 250 °C. Solar cooking plays a major role in the content. This latest edition's cover article is devoted to the latest developments of the [[Scheffler Community Kitchen]], written by noted solar cooking designer and advocate for solar cooking education in public schools, [[Ajay Chandak]]. Read his article on page 11. [https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3LcTeALQ3GJNXlDR01EMjRWcEk/edit?pli=1 Scheffler Solar Concentrators in India] - ''Sun Focus'' |
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| + | *'''New SCInet members''' - The SCInet wishes to welcome new member [[Clement Musonda]], an engineer promoting solar cooking in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[John Futhey]], a solar cooker designer in Santa Rosa, {{State|California}}, [[USA]]. |
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| + | default [[Media:Scr_sep14.pdf]] |
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| + | ::[[File:Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Solar Cooker Research|thumb|none|335 px|Under the direction of physics professor Dr. [[Peter Schwartz]], a team of physics and engineering students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California are conducting research on a [[Cal Poly Scheffler Reflector|simplified Scheffler reflector design]] that could be used by people in developing countries to heat water and cook food. They are also researching hybrid technologies that combine the use of a solar reflector and a [[Rocket Stove]] for uninterrupted cooking.]] |
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| + | ::[[File:Dr. Bing Gu, CEO California Sunlight|thumb|none|335 px|Dr. [[Bing Gu]] was interviewed at the [[SCInet Solar Cooking Convention 2014]]. His Fresnel lens solar thermal cooking device can reach 315° (600°F), can [[track the sun]] and can [[store heat]] for nighttime cooking. He is seeking investors so [[California Sunlight Corporation]] can begin mass production.]] |
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| + | *'''New SCInet members''' - The SCInet wishes to welcome new members, the [[C.V. Ramen College of Engineering]], under the leadership of Sanjib Rout in India. Also California, USA educator [[Sheela Kiiskila]], and [[Koku Selom Agbavito]], Executive Director of [[A.V.E.S-TOGO]]. Also, [[Irene Perbal]] from Jackson, California, USA has joined, and is represented by [[Solar Cooking Plus]]. |
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| − | [[File:PICT2221.jpg|thumb|300px|Women prepare a farewell dinner for the international team that had been evaluating their solar cooker project.]] |
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| − | *'''Only solar cooking makes something like this possible''' - In 2009 several hundred women from [[Chad|Darfur refugee camps]] gathered together, each carrying a pot of raw food and a folded 12" x 12" cardboard and aluminum foil [[CooKit]]. They were preparing a farewell dinner for an international team that had been evaluating their solar cooker project. The women opened their CooKits and left their pots of food to cook unattended for 90 minutes while they sat in the shade. The result was a banquet for hundreds of people. If each of these woman had been required to haul a fuel-efficient stove and a bundle of wood to this location along with her pot of food, she would have had to stay out in the sun, along with the other women, to tend her fire through the cooking process. Imagine hundreds of fires burning in the desert sun to cook what the ladies in this photo cooked with no fuel and no fire at all. |
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| + | [[File:Sun_Juicer_image,_8-21-14.jpg|thumb|250px|[[The Sun Juicer]] lightweight parabolic solar cooker]] |
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| + | *'''Successful Kickstarter for the Sun Juicer''' - Congratulations to Leonel Gotlibowski and the [[Sun Juicer]] on their successful Kickstarter campaign! They set a goal of $15,000 and raised a total of $19,152. They describe the Sun Juicer as an emergency ultralight, compact, [[parabolic solar cooker]]. [https://www.facebook.com/thesunjuicer Read more...] |
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| + | *'''Update on Jewish World Watch Solar Cooker Project''' - [[Jewish World Watch]] published their [http://www.jewishworldwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SCP_Newsletter_Summer2014_v12.pdf Summer 2014 Solar Cooker Project newsletter]. It offers background information on their [[refugee camp]] projects, highlights of the latest developments, and how to support it moving forward. Jewish World Watch reports that it has distributed approximately 128,000 [[CooKit]]s with participation rates of 75% to 100% in the camps where they have worked: [[Kounoungou Refugee Camp|Kounoungou]], [[Mile Refugee Camp|Mile]], [[Oure Cassoni Refugee Camp|Oure Cassoni]], [[Touloum Refugee Camp|Touloum]], and [[Iridimi Refugee Camp|Iridimi]]. They also plan to provide an additional cooking pot for 10,000 families. [http://www.jewishworldwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/SCP_Newsletter_Summer2014_v12.pdf Read more...] |
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| − | [[File:Philippines_storm_damage_2013.jpg|300px|right]] |
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| − | *'''URGENT Appeal: Partnering for Haiyan storm relief needed''' - Are there any groups or individuals working in this region that are able to provide solar water pasteurization and cooking technology, and other resources to those affected by Haiyan? Please contact [http://www.solarcookers.org/contact Solar Cookers International Worldwide Office]. |
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| + | *[http://mgafrica.com/article/2014-08-15-from-wonderbags-to-solar-cooking-innovative-solutions-to-africas-charcoal-problem/ From 'Wonderbags' to solar cooking, brilliant solutions to Africa's alarming charcoal problem] - ''Mali & Guardian Africa'' (See also: [[Wonderbag]] page) |
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| + | [[File:Energy_needs_graph_(image_sharpened),_Ajay_Chandak,_8-12-14.jpg|thumb|350px|Energy needs graph of the Ram Krishna Mission Student’s Home, Mylapore, Chennai, [[India]] - ''[[Ajay Chandak]]'']] |
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| − | [[Image:Wapi-before-after.jpg|150px|thumb|The WAPI on right shows that pasteurization temperatures have been reached.]] |
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| + | *'''Institutional solar cooker with heat storage allows cooking after sunset''' - Commissioned on October 26, 2013, the steam-based [[ARUN®100]] solar cooking system at the Ram Krishna Mission Student’s Home, Mylapore, Chennai in [[India]] now allows early morning and evening cooking. The accompanying graph shows when they need to cook and when the mid-day sun recharges the system. Read more about it at: [[Media:SCI_news_2.pdf|ARUN®100 with Thermal Storage at Ramkrishna Mission, Chennai]] - ''[[Ajay Chandak]]'' |
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| − | *'''Study of water treatment in Kenya demonstrates the effectiveness of the WAPI''' - Dr. [[Robert Metcalf]], research microbiologist, and [[Dinah Chienjo]] of [[FOTO]] worked together on a study to compare the results of various water treatment chemicals to the [[WAPI]] water pasteurization indicator used with a [[CooKit]] solar cooker. One finding of note is that "when treated with WaterGuard (3 drops/liter), subsequent Colilert and Petrifilm tests most often were negative for E. coli, except with highly turbid water sources....When water was heated in a CooKit solar cooker to melt the WAPI wax, all subsequent Colilert and Petrifilm tests were negative for E. coli." Read the study at: [[Media:Eliminating_Water-bourne_Disease_Lower_Nyakach_Kenya_2013.pdf|The Goal is Zero: A Strategy to Eliminate Water-bourne Disease in Lower Nyakach, Kenya]] |
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| + | [[File:Suryakumbh_2014.png|thumb|350px|3,484 children from 80+ schools participated in the previous world's largest solar cooking class in Mumbai.]] |
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| − | [[File:SunFire_Stove_Project,_11-5-13.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Crosby Menzies]] of [[SunFire Solutions]], attends a solar cooking demonstration as part of the [http://beyond-carbon.com/projects/africa-2/sunfire-stoves SunFire Stoves Project] in South Africa.]] |
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| + | *'''The stage is set for the next world's largest solar cooking workshop''' - A Bhayander, [[India]] based NGO, [[Keshav Srushti]], in a bid to spread awareness on solar cooking, will be gathering 25,000 students from 500 schools across Mumbai on January 15, 2015 to cook solar-powered dishes. [http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-ngo-to-hold-maha-suryakumbh-with-25000-students-2009258 Read more...] |
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| − | *'''SunFire Solutions partners with Beyond Carbon to promote local solar cooking businesses.''' - [[SunFire Solutions]] and [http://beyond-carbon.com Beyond Carbon] recognize that long-term solutions need to include local business communities with shared sustainability objectives. Their current [http://beyond-carbon.com/projects/africa-2/sunfire-stoves SunFire Stoves Project] joint venture is based in [[South Africa]]. The project's goal is to protect the area around Kruger National Park from deforestation through the implementation of solar cookers. Three hundred [[parabolic solar cooker]]s were initially purchased for the project, and 213 have already gone into households as of fall 2013. With access to the solar cookers, more than ten new locally owned enterprises have been created. |
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| + | *'''Solar Cookers International contributes data for US-Africa Leaders Summit''' - President Barack Obama announced August 6th, 2014 that the U.S. NGO community invested over $1.5 billion in Africa in 2013 and anticipates investing another $4 billion over the next three years. Solar Cookers International (SCI) was one of the members of the InterAction network collaborating to collect data on U.S. NGO aid spending in Africa. See information on [http://www.solarcookers.org/what/projects SCI’s current projects] and the [http://www.interaction.org/document/15-billion-invested-africa-us-ngos-last-year news release]. |
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| − | [[File:Solar_cooking_training_in_Tapachula,_Mexico.jpg|thumb|300px|Solar cooking training in Tapachula, {{state|Chiapas}}, [[Mexico]]]] |
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| − | *'''Mexican Rotary Club trains 44 new solar cooking trainers''' - In conjunction with the Municipal government of Tapachula in {{state|Chiapas}}, [[Mexico]], the [[Rotary Club of Tapachula Centenario]] has sponsored a number of solar cooking workshops in 2012 and 2013. Forty-four new instructors were trained in how to present solar cooking workshops back in their home communities. Restaurant staff was introduced to solar cooking in Santo Domingo, and at the Universidad Valle del Grijalva, City and Tapachula, culinary students were also introduced to solar cooking. On-site Experimental INIFAP "Rosario Izapa" trained twenty-seven people as users of alternative cooking systems. More photos here: http://tinyurl.com/kqr3fx9 |
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| − | *'''Humanitarian Innovation: What's Cooking With Solar Cookers''' - [[Patricia McArdle]], editor of the [[Solar Cooker Review]] and solar thermal cooking activist, relates the most recent reactions to solar cooking she has encountered while encouraging larger humanitarian groups to support this simple nonpolluting technology. "While 10s of millions of dollars have been invested over the past decade by international organizations, governments and corporate sponsors to develop cleaner burning biomass cook stoves, no funds have been allocated to help make the current generation of solar thermal cookers more durable, more efficient and less expensive." [http://insights.wired.com/profiles/blogs/response-to-humanitarian-innovation-the-power-to-change-the-world?xg_source=msg_appr_blogpost#axzz2dH6CQH54 Read more...] |
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| + | *'''Solar Cookers International is hiring!''' - Based on needs identified at the recent SCInet Solar Cooking Convention, SCI is hiring a full-time Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist to promote data collection and project evaluation practices within the global solar cooking sector. Read [http://www.solarcookers.org/about/career-and-internship-opportunities/monitoring-and-evaluation-specialist/ full job description]. |
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| − | *'''The September 2013 issue of Solar Cooker Review is now available online.''' |
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| − | [[File:Scr_sep13.jpg|none|border|190px]] |
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| + | ==July 2014== |
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| − | [[File:Olivia_Kanyesigye_ICM_demonstration,_8-15-13.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Olivia Kanyesigye]] (in black suit) from the [[Solar Connect Association]], and Henk Crietee, from [[Solar Cooking Netherlands]], attend an [[Integrated Cooking Method|integrated solar cooking]] demonstration in [[Uganda]], August 2013.]] |
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| + | *'''New video from Pat McArdle where people from all around the world tell why they solar cook:''' |
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| − | *'''Uganda NGO with proven profitability plans for expansion at new location''' - Henk Crietee, from [[Solar Cooking Netherlands]], was in [[Uganda]] for two weeks in early August to evaluate [[Solar Connect Association]] (SCA) project activities. During Crietee's visit, a piece of land was secured in Mbarara, on which SCA will construct a building to house a new Renewable Energy Center. Integrated solar cooking appliances will be produced, advertised and sold from this new location, which will offer better exposure for their products to local residents, tourists, and political leaders. While SCA has shown itself to be relatively self sufficient in terms of covering operation costs, through the sales of solar cookers, [[hay basket]]s and [[rocket stoves]], they cannot yet afford to construct a new building. Participation by Solar Cooking Netherlands with help in securing the land has been appreciated. Donors wishing to help contribute to the building construction can contact [[Solar Cooking Netherlands]]. This fledgling effort is another example that demonstrates solar cooking, and related integrated cooking methods, can become a successful business by incorporating local manufacturing, sales, and long term consumer support. |
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| + | <table style="margin-left:33px"><tr><td>[[File:Yes We Do Solar Cook|thumb|none|500 px]]</td></tr></table> |
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| − | [[File:Soulsource_successful.jpg|thumb|250px|SolSource: [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scotfrank/solsource-cook-anything-under-the-sun Kickstarter project] a success]] |
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| + | [[File:Sacramento_festival_2014.jpg|200px|thumb|Solar Cooking Festival 2014, Sacramento, {{state|California|CA}}, [[USA]]]] |
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| − | *'''One Earth Designs raises $142k on Kickstarter to fund solar cooking project''' - [[One Earth Designs]] successfully concluded its Kickstarter campaign to promote the [[SolSource|SolSource solar cooker]], raising a total of $142,413 out of a goal of $43,000 (331% of the goal) and meeting three stretch goals, with 507 people backing the project. Delivery of the cookers will happen in October 2013. Visit the [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scotfrank/solsource-cook-anything-under-the-sun SolSource Kickstarter page]. |
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| + | *'''Solar cooking conference extols virtues of cookers to developing world''' (Sacramento Bee) - Hundreds of people Saturday cooked using only the power of the sun – a practice little used in the United States, but considered a liberating tool for women in developing countries that also helps curb greenhouse gas emissions. [http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/19/6568302/solar-cooking-conference-extols.html Read more...] |
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| + | [[File:Resilience_mulitple_pot_fireless_cooker,_7-7-14.jpg|thumb|200px|A [[heat-retention cooker]] designed for multiple pots.]] |
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| + | * '''The value of heat-retention cooking reviewed''' - Kris De Decker, author and founder of Low-Tech Magazine, reviews the history of [[heat-retention cooking]] and its value when used with solar cookers. [http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2014/07/cooking-pot-insulation-key-to-sustainable-cooking.html If We Insulate Our Houses, Why Not Our Cooking Pots?] |
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| − | [[File:SolSource_cooker,_6-13.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[SolSource]] solar cooker]] |
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| − | *'''Young entrepreneurs align with Kickstarter to promote their parabolic solar cooker''' - [[One Earth Designs]] began in 2008 to develop their [[SolSource]] parabolic cooker. In September 2010, the cooker won the Dutch Postcode Lottery Green Challenge. The design team continues their research on the cooker, with the goal it will be the world's first temperature-adjustable solar cooker with six discrete settings up to 1,000°C (1,832°F). It will provide users with the capacity to generate electricity, heat their homes, [[Water pasteurization|purify their water]] and cook with stored solar energy at night or on cloudy days. An article in ''gizmag'' explains that those wishing to help this fledgling company are offered the opportunity to purchase today's basic cooker for $249 USD, with free shipping in the continental [[USA]]. The projected retail price will be $399 USD, so this is a great way to help them out, and get a great deal. Delivery of the cookers will happen in October 2013. [http://www.gizmag.com/solsource-solar-powered-grill/27963/ More information...], [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scotfrank/solsource-cook-anything-under-the-sun?ref=recently_launched Kickstarter page] |
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| − | [[File:SHE_World_refugee_day_promotion_2013.jpg|thumb|250px|A woman adjusts the [[solar panel cooker]] she received through [[Solar Household Energy]].]] |
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| + | * [[Media:A new turn toward solar cooking.pdf|A New Turn Toward Solar Cooking]] - ''Pia Piroschka Otte''. Learn how solar cookers are accepted and used in [[Burkina Faso]] and [[India]]. This paper discusses six case-studies from the two countries where [[Scheffler Community Kitchen|Scheffler reflectors]] were used by a diverse selection of institutions. More information about how solar cooker use can vary between cultures can be found on the [[Solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables|solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables]] page. |
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| − | *'''World Refugee Day focusses on the needs of displaced populations''' - World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. Even though the day has passed, June 20th, awareness and action are continuing. [http://www.universalgiving.org/ Universal Giving] has organized a group of relief projects to help raise donations. 100% of the donation reaches the intended foundation and project. This year [[Solar Household Energy]] (SHE) is featured among the projects for their work promoting solar cooking worldwide. SHE is a global leader in this effort. Consider helping them. [http://www.universalgiving.org/lists/list.do?id=686 Donation information...] |
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| + | *[http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/eat/solar-cooking-fuel-emissions-baking-method/ Solar Cooking: The No-Fuel, No-Emissions Way to Make Dinner] - ''Edible Manhattan'' |
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| − | *'''Solar Cookers International to dedicate more resources to the renamed Solar Cookers International Network'''<br />Since its founding in 2006, the Solar Cookers World Network has continued to expand. [[:Category:Solar Cookers International Network members|Network members]] now include over 500 NGOs, individuals, and manufacturers working in the field to advance the cause of solar cooking. At the same time, the Network’s wiki resource has grown to become an unparalleled resource for solar cooking knowledge worldwide. With contributions of articles and photos from Network members and monetary and administrative support from [[Solar Cookers International]] (SCI), this wiki now contains nearly 2000 articles, covering all aspects of solar cooking design and promotion. Today SCI renews its commitment to the Solar Cookers World Network and its corresponding Wiki. SCI will direct more resources toward both. In the near future, SCI will ask all Network members to give us their feedback to help us prioritize our efforts to assist in areas of greatest need. Read the “Letter from the Executive Director” in the [http://solarcooking.org/newsletters/scr_pdfs/scr_jun13.pdf June 2013 issue of Solar Cooker Review] for more information about SCI’s Strategic Plan for 2013-2018. To communicate SCI’s renewed and expanded commitment to the Network, starting today, June 1, 2013 the name of the Network and Wiki will change, but not their substance. The Solar Cookers World Network will become the Solar Cookers International Network (SCInet); the Solar Cookers World Network Wiki will become the Solar Cookers International Network Wiki. SCI welcomes your input. Please contact SCI at [mailto:info@solarcookers.org info@solarcookers.org] if you have questions or comments. |
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| + | [[File:WHO_HAP_deaths_by_location_2012.jpg|thumb]] |
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| − | *'''The June 2013 issue of Solar Cooker Review is now available online''' - [[Solar Cooker Review|Read the issue here...]] |
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| + | *'''Household air pollution from cooking fires kills more people than malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS combined''' - The journal Nature reports on a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report that states that 4.3 million people die annually from household air pollution caused by polluting biomass stoves used by one-third of the global population. However, efforts to introduce [[Rocket Stove|more efficient biomass stoves]] are failing. Read article in Nature: [http://www.nature.com/news/global-health-deadly-dinners-1.15286 Global health: Deadly dinners] |
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| + | *[http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/jose-andres-thinks-food-can-fix-the-world-starting-in-haiti/2014/06/05/8e4de760-d0cb-11e3-9e25-188ebe1fa93b_story.html José Andrés thinks food can fix the world, starting in Haiti] - ''The Washington Post'' |
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| − | [[File:SOLAR ENERGY|thumb|right|300 px|[[Faustine Odaba]], an environmentalist popularly known as "Mama Solar", uses solar energy to make most of her meals. Published Sept. 2012]] |
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| − | *'''An inspired environmentalist shares her tips and techniques for solar cooking''' - [[Faustine Odaba]] lives in [[Kenya]], and has been promoting solar cooking since the early nineties. Her reputation with solar cooking efforts is well known and she is lovingly referred to as "Mama Solar". In the accompanying video she offers practical solar cooking tips and techniques, and describes the features of different types of cookers. She also explains the advantage of using [[heat-retention cooking]] to complement solar cooking. It is inspiring to see how she careful crafts every scrap of recycled material into useful household products. She gently reminds everyone "The sun can bring a meal to your table." |
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| − | [[File:Touloum_refugee_camp_1.jpg|thumb|250px|A mother with her child watch over the [[solar panel cookers]] at the [[Touloum Refugee Camp]].]] |
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| + | *'''Your data is requested for NIH household air pollution study''' - [http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-TW-14-008.html Request for Information (RFI): Global Cookstove Distribution Programs and Projects for Evaluation of Health Benefits] - Data submission is due June 30, 2014 |
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| − | *'''Solar cookers preparing food for 130,000 people daily at the refugee camps in Chad''' - [[Derk Rijks]], a volunteer with the [[KoZon Foundation]], recently responded to [[Jewish World Watch]] with this note of appreciation. "Last week I was at the [[Touloum Refugee Camp]]. The chief of the workshop, Fatimé, told me there were new arrivals. We walked over to the last of the dunes and there was one woman who had just walked in with four kids, sitting in the sand. Her village was bombed one week ago, and she had fled to escape the Janjaweed, walking for seven nights. Fatimé looked at me, I nodded, 'yes', and in the next few hours she had her cooker and started her solar cooker training, even before she had a shelter. No words needed, no paper needed. That is the way your contribution works." He also explains that in the six camps where they work in [[Chad]], and in the villages of the population around the camps about 29,000 families now do solar cooking, and about 130,000 people are eating solar cooked meals. In this part of the world solar cooking works about 300 days a year. From the empty bags of the food shipped in by the World Food Programme, and the snippets of aluminum foil and cardboard left over from the manufacture of the cookers, the refugees make "[[haybasket|thermos baskets]]" to keep the food, cooked between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., warm until the evening meal at 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. They do not have to search for wood so much any more and there are far fewer conflicts for that reason. As one of the elected representatives of the women refugees said: "Solar cooking brings us justice and peace". |
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| + | <table><tr> |
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| − | [[File:Sunoven.jpg|300px|thumb|The [[Sun Oven]] [[solar box cooker]]]] |
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| + | <imagemap>Image:Scr_may14.jpg|215px|none|border |
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| − | *'''Interesting facts about the Sun Oven''' - The [[Sun Oven]] is manufactured by [[Sun Ovens International]] primarily in Elburn, {{state|Illinois}}, [[USA]]. Recently [[Paul Munsen]], the company president, was questioned about where their ovens were being sold. They have been sold in over 130 countries. The Sun Oven is usually considered to be the standard which other [[solar box cooker]]s are judged by. They are well made of quality components, and quite durable. The company has a revised version of the Sun Oven called the All American Sun Oven that has a 20% larger cooking area and new wind resistance features. Interestingly, 42% of the Sun Ovens sold worldwide are sold in the state of {{state|Utah}}, USA. Munsen believes 70% of the ovens are being kept on shelves with emergency food supplies, the rest are used on a regular basis. The owners appreciate the versatility of the cooker, with the added benefit of helping to lower household kitchen temperatures during hot summer months. When Munsen was recently demonstrating in the Sun Oven in [[Afghanistan]] to a group of local women, he was told the cooker could not provide the smoky favor desired in their [[flatbread]], known as naan. Paul's wife suggested adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the batter. A recent delivery of ovens was accompanied by a 55-gallon drum of liquid smoke. The liquid smoke offers some advantages over smoky fires. Munsen says women cooking over fires can inhale as much smoke as they’d get from smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, and children are more likely to contract acute lower respiratory and eye infections. [http://www.hersutah.com/story/sun-ovens-popular-around-world Read more...] |
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| + | default [[Media:Scr_may14.pdf]] |
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| + | [[File:Earthbound_Tech_cooker_test,_5-3-14.jpg|thumb|200px|Reciprocal light testing,'' (Earthbound Technology photo)'']] |
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| − | [[File:Trust_in_Education_CooKit_3,_4-17-13.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Trust in Education]] variation of the [[CooKit]], which uses recycled Peet's Coffee bags for the [[reflective material]].]] |
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| + | *'''Photo of reciprocal light creates new approach to solar cooker testing''' - [http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Earthbound_Technology#Recent_news_and_developments William Bradley, founder of Earthbound Technology, has been developing a new way to be able to analyze potential performance of solar cookers] |
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| − | *'''Solar panel cookers headed to Afghanistan use recycled coffee bags for reflective material''' - The solar cookers are distributed by [[Trust in Education]] located in Kabul, [[Afghanistan]]. They are a [[CooKit]] variation, and are being produced at a box manufacturing company in San Leandro, {{state|California|CA}}, [[USA]]. The [[reflective material]] used for the [[solar panel cooker]]s comes from Mylar coffee bean bags, recycled from Peet’s Coffee & Tea headquartered in Berkeley, {{state|California}}. They are cut open and cleaned by adults with developmental disabilities from [http://futures-explored.org/ Futures Explored] in Lafayette, California. With the reflective interior surface facing out, the bags are then stapled to the cooker panels by Afghan workers. So far, 2,000 cookers have been delivered to Afghanistan, and over 20,000 bags have been collected from Peet’s (keeping many Mylar bags out of the landfill). The new cookers are working very well, and are appreciated. |
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| + | [[File:Ewb-Iran-April-2014.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Engineers Without Borders - Iran]] solar cooking workshop]] |
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| + | *'''Solar cooking advocate in Iran trains high school students''' - [[Soheil Salimi]], a twenty-two year old civil engineering student, has started a chapter of [[Engineers Without Borders - Iran]], and has begun organizing solar cooking workshops in his free time. His latest class was at the Hafez high school for girls. Read more about his projects on his [[Soheil Salimi|personal page]]. |
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| − | [[File:GACC_conference_2013_attendees_.jpg||thumb|300px|Solar cooking innovators at the '''Clean Cooking Forum 2013''' in Phnom Penh, [[Cambodia]]]] |
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| − | *'''Solar cooking promotors at the GACC conference''' - The [[Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves]] sponsored the '''Clean Cooking Forum 2013''' in Phnom Penh, [[Cambodia]] from March 18-22, 2013. The global solar cooking community and the [[Solar Cookers World Network]] is being represented by [[Crosby Menzies]] (South Africa), [[Gabrielle Simbriger-Williams]] (US), [[Sanu Kaji Shrestha]] (Nepal), [[Scot Frank]] (US/China), [[Nguyen Tan Bich]] (Vietnam), Yasaya (Nigeria), [[Alex Kee]] (Malasia), [[Catlin Powers]] (US/China), and [[Julie Greene]] (USA), who took the adjacent photo. The group held a solar cooking demonstration for attendees. The participation by these advocates of solar cooking helps to build the alliance with [[Rocket Stove|fuelwood cookstove]] advocates, and helps spread the message of the [[integrated cooking method]]. |
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| − | [[File:Kiosco_SOLAR_cart,_2-27-13.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Kiosco SOLAR]] ready for business]] |
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| + | *'''Three cheers for the Girl Scouts''' - [http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_b8f2ec44-c6a9-11e3-84f2-0017a43b2370.html Girl Scouts in Texas can now earn a solar energy patch studying solar cooking and photovoltaic electrical generation] |
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| − | [[File:Kiosco_SOLAR_cart_sales,_2-27-13.jpg|thumb|250px|The solar powered food cart has been a success at the Carnival of Puna in [[Argentina]].]] |
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| − | *'''The solar powered food cart business is flourishing in northern Argentina''' - With help from [[Fundación EcoAndina]] and [[WISIONS Initiative]], there has been a successful launch of solar powered food carts in northern [[Argentina]]. During the celebrations of Carnival of Puna, which spans almost all of February, the intrepid promoters of the sun's energy walked a few new solar kiosks through the streets in Tilcara, Humahuaca, La Quiaca, Purmamarca and Uquía, tourist sites the northern province of Jujuy. Each [[Kiosco SOLAR]] consists of a wheeled trolley, waterproof roof, and a [[parabolic solar cooker]]. "People are incredulous and astonished when the cart is in operation," says Marta Rojas, responsible for opening a kiosk this month in Tilcara. As a safety concern, there has been a need to begin to replace traditional food carts, where typically food is cooked directly over gas canisters or open fires. |
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| + | *'''German solar cooker manufacturer reaches impressive milestone''' - [[Stephan Zech]], with [[Sun and Ice]], reports that they have distributed 50,000 [[parabolic solar cooker]]s in the last ten years. |
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| − | *'''Survey participants are being recruited to document solar cooking use in the USA''' - Natalia Blackburn of Blackburn Engineering is conducting a survey to begin to determine how solar cooking usage may be able to reduce traditional consumer energy demand in the [[USA]]. While individual savings may be small, when the big picture is considered, Natalia believes that wide use of solar cookers can add up to substantial savings for utilities. The objective of this study is to develop a set of protocols to measure energy savings and dollar savings attributable to the use of solar cookers in U.S. residential households. The survey will be conducted with a fifteen-minute phone interview, or the group of twenty-five questions can be answered by email. Respondents will be contacted via email to set up an interview. If you are a resident of the USA and have been solar cooking for at least eighteen months, consider participating in this pioneering effort by emailing [mailto:natalia.a.blackburn@gmail.com natalia.a.blackburn@gmail.com]. Natalia hopes to complete data collection by the end of March, 2013. [[USA Solar Survey|More information...]] |
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| − | *'''The March 2013 issue of Solar Cooker Review is now available online''' |
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| + | *[http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Testing#Recent_news_and_developments Former SCI board member Paul Funk to participate in establishing cookstove and clean cooking solutions standards] |
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| + | [[File:Solar_Women_of_Totogalpa_baking_photo_4-24-10.jpg|thumb|250px|Nicaraguan group [[Solar Women of Totogalpa]] prepares baked goods for sale]] |
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| + | *'''How solar energy empowers women, youth in rural Nicaragua''' - Forty years ago Sabana Grande was ravaged by war. Now you will find people sitting under solar-powered lights, eating solar-cooked chicken, and drinking smoothies made by a bicycle-powered blender. Sabana Grande has embraced a solar culture that has transformed the community. [http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0320/How-solar-energy-empowers-women-youth-in-rural-Nicaragua Read more...] (See also [[Solar restaurants and bakeries|other solar restaurants and bakeries]].) |
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| − | File:Scr_mar13.jpg|none|border|175px |
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| − | default [[Solar Cooker Review]] |
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| + | * ''' NGO initiates second phase of solar bakery project in Burundi''' - [http://regions20.org/about/news/129-r20-initiates-second-phase-of-solar-bakery-project-in-burundi Regions 20] continues its efforts to help local bakers organize their solar bakery. [http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Burundi#News_and_Recent_Developments More information...] <b>Update: The deadline to submit proposals to supply the solar ovens has been extended.</b>. Interested parties will find more information here: [[Media:Invitation-to-Tender_Solar_Ovens.pdf|Invitation to Tender For Solar Bakery Project, Burundi]]. The scale of the project may be rather small, but the funding and implementation is coming from world leaders in the field of economic and environmental relief. |
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| + | *[http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Kawesa_Mukasa#Recent_news_and_developments Renewable Energy Cooking Resource Center under construction in Biharwe, Uganda] |
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| − | *'''SCI seeks an experienced solar cook to help with Hurricane Sandy relief''' - [[Solar Cookers International]] is looking for a teacher in New York or New Jersey, [[USA]], whose students and families were affected by Hurricane Sandy to lead a solar cooking workshop. SCI will provide basic resources and materials for a classroom of students to learn how to solar cook to help their families’ recovery efforts this spring and summer. For more information, please contact Julie Greene, Executive Director, at [mailto:julie@solarcookers.org julie@solarcookers.org] or (916) 455-4499. |
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| + | *[http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/India#News_and_Recent_Developments School in Ladakh, India saves $23,000 USD in annual fuel costs with solar cookers] |
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| + | *[[Darwin Curtis#Recent news and developments|Darwin Curtis receives SCI Order of Excellence 2013]] |
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| − | [[File:GACC_Forum_2013_photo.jpg|right|200px]] |
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| − | *{{Event}}'''March 18-22, 2013: (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)''' The [[Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves]] is sponsoring the '''Clean Cooking Forum 2013''', to be held in [[Cambodia]]. As with the five Biennial Partnership for Clean Indoor Air Forums, this will be an excellent opportunity for the household energy community to come together and share what is working around the world, what is causing it to work, and what we can do more of, better, or differently. This will an important event for solar cooking promoters to attend, share information, and show unity in a common mission. [[Julie Greene]], the Executive Director of [[Solar Cookers International]], will be attending and acting as representative for the Solar Cookers World Network. She has offered to any Network member wishing to address a particular concern, but unable to attend, to please [mailto:julie@solarcookers.org contact her] to pass along a discussion topic. [http://www.cleancooking2013.org Registration information...] See other [[Calendar of events|events]]. |
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| + | *[[Friends of the Old#Recent news and developments|Friends of the Old in Kenya continues to distribute 100 safe water packages each month]] |
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| − | [[File:Solar_Food_Processing_Network_group_photo,_2-14-14.jpg|thumb|300px|Attendees at the 2013 Solar Food Processing Network conference.]] |
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| − | *'''The Solar Food Processing Network meets to discuss international standards''' - The [[Solar Food Processing Network]] (SFPN) held a regional workshop in January 2013 at the Muni Seva Ashram in Goraj, Vadodara, Gujarat, [[India]]. This gathering was a follow-up to the 2009 AFPN conference held in Indore, India in 2010. Workshop participants heard from food marketing and technology experts. Conference organizers, [[Deepak Gadhia]] and [[Rolf Behringer]] held discussions on local and international marketing, village industries, packaging, policy interventions, R&D, and effective monitoring and evaluation of projects. Attendees discussed the formation of an international solar food standard and shared their own practical experiences using solar technology for food processing. Visit the [http://www.solarfood.org Solar Food Processing Network] to see a muscial video of the event and videos of solar food processing projects in [[Burkina Faso]]. |
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| − | [[File: |
+ | [[File:French_solar_food_cart,_2-10-14.jpg|188px|thumb|See [[Sun and Ice#News and recent developments|Sun and Ice]].]] |
| + | *'''French solar cuisine done with style - ''' [[Sun and Ice]] shares photos of one of their reflectors incorporated into a portable solar kitchen, created by one of their customers in [[France]]. The small, trailered construction is a rolling work of art. See more photos on the [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.605247826234177.1073741835.182264431865854&type=1 facebook page.] |
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| − | *'''The durable HotPot solar panel cooker has worked well in Mexico''' [http://fmcn.org/sustainable-rural-life/?lang=en Sustainable Rural Life] is the new face of the HotPot Initiative that was launched by the [[Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature]] in 2003. Delivering [[HotPot]] solar cookers and training communities how to use them has served as an effective introduction to clean cooking, and has provided an alternative to burning [[fuelwood]] in indigenous communities around the country. Approximately 20,000 HotPots have been distributed throughout sixteen states in [[Mexico]]. Last year, 464 were purchased by MFCN and delivered by local partners, and 445 [[fuel-efficient woodstove]]s of various types were also delivered between March and September. At SRL they believe that using the HotPot, together with fuel-efficient cookstoves, is the best option to improve cooking habits in Mexico. Read more at [[Media:Mexico_Sustainable_rural_life,_2-13-13.pdf|Sustainable Rural Life: Update 2012]]. |
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| + | * [[Solar Cookers International]] (SCI) is proud to receive funding from The Agua Fund, Inc. for the SCInet Wiki. Read SCI’s current [[Media:SCI_Annual_Report_2012-2013.pdf|Annual Report]]. |
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| − | [[File:Momentum for Change Women for Results Trailer|right|300 px]] |
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| − | *'''United Nations partners with the Rockefeller Foundation to showcase women’s role in solving climate change''' - In September 2012, the UN announced that the Rockefeller Foundation had awarded a grant to the [[United Nations Climate Change Secretariat]] to launch, Momentum for Change: Women for Results, an initiative to inform governments, the media and the public about “the role of women in solving climate change”. According to the announcement: “The use of efficient energy systems at the household level (e.g. solar cooking stoves and ovens) can reduce emissions and harness the potential of women as actors in the overall solution to climate change.” The mention of solar cookers in the Rockefeller Initiative may help to raise the profile of and attract additional funding for existing and future solar cooking projects. Applications will be accepted beginning March 8, 2013, International Women’s Day. [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Read more about the program and how to qualify...]] |
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| − | ==January |
+ | ==January 2014== |
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| ⚫ | *'''Hybrid solar cooker includes electrical back-up option''' - Since 2010, David Chalker, founder of the [[Sun BD Corporation]], has been working on a version of a [[solar box cooker]] that includes an electrical heating element, rated at 465 watts / 120v. The [[SunFocus]] has a built-in thermostat which will turn off the electrical heating element once the cooker has reached 150°C (300°F). The cookers are made in Waterloo, {{state|New York}}, [[USA]]. |
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| − | [[File:Worlds Largest Solar Cooking Class|thumb|right|300px|2,044 middle school students learn to prepare lunch with solar cooking.]] |
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| ⚫ | *'''Solar cooking works with solar lighting to help families save money''' - [[Stephen Pearson]], founder of [[SUN-LIFE]], has been helping residents of [[Ghana]] for many years save on cooking fuel expense by learning to use the [[CooKit]] solar cooker. His new goal is to help these families further reduce their kerosene usage by offering a low cost portable lamp to replace their fuel-burning lanterns. The new [http://www.minisun12h.org MiniSun12H] lamp has an integrated photovoltaic panel to recharge the lamp during the day. The projected retail price for the lamp is $5 USD. His reasoning is; if a family can save on cooking fuel using the CooKit, then they will have enough money to be able to buy the new lamp. Using both approaches, the families should be able to save $50-100 USD on kerosene expense annually. Money is saved, and [[indoor air pollution]] is reduced. You can help him with this project by supporting his efforts at [http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/goodbye-dangerous-kerosene-hello-safe-solar-minisun12h Indiegogo] fund raising. You can learn more about the new lamp in this short [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-vhlAefeU video]. |
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| − | *'''World's largest solar cooking class takes place in India''' - 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 each assembled his or her own solar cooker and placed prepared ingredients inside to cook. After speaker presentations, the students were able to enjoy the lunch they had cooked themselves. This event, sponsored by [[Simplified Technology for Life]], demonstrates that India is quite serious about introducing solar cooking to young students. |
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| ⚫ | *'''International aid organization seeks solar cookers for bakery in Burundi''' - The global relief organization [http://www.regions20.org R20-Regions of Climate Action] has organized a solar bakery project in Rutegama, [[Burundi]]. Currently the bakery, in operation since 2006, has relied on wood-fired ovens, with the wood needing to be gathered by the women working at the bakery. They are soliciting proposals from tenders interested in providing three institutional solar ovens required to convert the bakery to solar. The ovens must be limited to three meters (a little under 10 ft.) in height, and if carried, weighing no more than 10 kg (22 lbs.). <b>Update: new deadline of offers to be submitted by Friday 28th February 2014</b>. Interested parties will find more information here: [[Media:Invitation-to-Tender_Solar_Ovens.pdf|Invitation to Tender For Solar Bakery Project, Burundi]]. The scale of the project may be rather small, but the funding and implementation is coming from world leaders in the field of economic and environmental relief. |
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| − | [[File:Cooking Traditional African Cornmeal in a Solar Cooker (Filmed in Chad in 2009)-0|thumb|right|300px|Traditional African Cornmeal in a Solar Cooker, filmed at the [[Touloum refugee camp]] in [[Chad]].]] |
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| − | *'''This simple solar cooker cooks well left unattended, providing time for other activities''' - The accompanying video was made in 2009 by [[Patricia McArdle|Pat McArdle]] and [[Karyn Ellis]] at the [[Touloum Refugee Camp]] in eastern [[Chad]], and features the [[CooKit]] solar cooker. It shows how the traditional cornmeal porridge is well-suited to the slow even baking provided by the [[solar panel cooker]]. The cooking food does not require the constant stirring of cooking over an open fire, allowing the women to spend time in the shade pursuing business opportunities, talking with friends, or completing other tasks. |
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| − | [[File: |
+ | [[File:Chile_box_cookers_2,_Guai_Bao,_1-14-14.jpg|thumb|300px|Recently constructed [[solar box cooker]]s in Ovalle, [[Chile]].]] |
| ⚫ | *'''New solar cookers ready for distribution in Chile''' - Guai Bao, traveling in [[Chile]], sent along this photo of newly constructed [[solar box cooker]]s at a manufacturing facility in Ovalle. The cookers are well thought out. They are sturdy with insulated inner walls, and an internal high-back reflector to catch the sun. The front wall is low and slightly tipped forward to avoid blocking any sunlight. The external side reflectors appear to be able swing closed and protect the glass surface. They look ready to start cooking sitting on the small tables, which provides a convenient work height for users. The cooker construction is being supervised by [[Ruddy Viscarra]]. See more [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10152103262019407&type=1 assembly photos] on [https://www.facebook.com/groups/scwnet facebook]. |
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| − | *'''Solar Circle uses barter system to distribute 3000 solar cookers in Tanzania''' - The NGO [[Solar Circle]] has learned many things from their solar cooking program in Masasi, southern [[Tanzania]]. People will use solar cookers if they are efficient and affordable, which is often a problem for subsistence farmers who are most in need of the cookers even when the cookers are heavily subsidized. However, they have also learned 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. So far, the program has distributed more than 3000 solar ovens, and built 40 houses for people who are sick, elderly, widowed, or disabled. Because the community chooses the project and beneficiary, there’s an eagerness to work together. Surrounding villages have heard of the cookers and the program, so spreading the word has been easy. They cannot keep up with demand. The barter program relies on external help with finances, but community service represents the same effort that of money earned in outside employment. Solar Circle values that effort, and raises what money it can from friends to expand the program. {{FeaturedProjects}} |
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| − | [[File:Solar_Cooking_in_China,_SHE_report_photo,_1-9-13.jpg|thumb|275px|Residents in northwestern [[China]] using their [[parabolic solar cooker]]]] |
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| ⚫ | *'''India raises the bar for the world's largest solar cooking class''' - "As many as 3,484 children from over 80 schools participated in the largest solar cooking initiative Suryakumbha on January 4th, which has qualified as an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records. The emergence of renewable sources of energy as an answer to the imminent exhaustion of conventional energy sources pushed a Bhayander NGO, Keshav Srushti, to start with the most influential members of society, children." The class was held in Mumbai, [[India]]. [http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-mumbai-3484-kids-take-part-in-largest-solar-cooking-session-set-guinness-record-1945468 Read more...] |
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| + | ==2013== |
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| + | {{Main|Solar cooking news archive 2013}} |
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| + | ==2012== |
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| − | [[File:ADES_box_cooker_(with_PV)_6-29-11.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Electro Solar Cooker]] with built-in photovoltaic panels.]] |
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| + | {{Main|Solar cooking news archive 2012}} |
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| − | *'''Solar cooking promoter adds photovoltaic cells to a solar box cooker''' - The [[Electro Solar Cooker]] is being produced by the [[Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire]] (ADES), a Swiss nonprofit that promotes solar cooking in [[Madagascar]]. ADES recognized another solar energy opportunity that would work well with their solar cooking promotion. As long as the solar cooker is used for a few hours each day for cooking, why not build in strips of photovoltaic cells to create some electricity? The power is stored in batteries attached under the cooker. Fully charged, the unit can power 12 volt lights or a radio for a few days and recharge cellphones. The multiple functions may compliment and encourage the use of this solar appliance. |
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==2011== |
==2011== |
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Revision as of 17:36, 4 March 2015
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See also: Current news
December 2014
- Latest Nasa data shows elevated CO2 levels over Africa and South America - According to this BBC article, "Also apparent are the higher concentrations over South America and southern Africa. These are likely the result of biomass burning in these regions."
- Solar Cookers International remembers Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis - As co-founder of Jewish World Watch, Rabbi Schulweis was a visionary behind efforts like the Solar Cooker Project to empower and protect refugee women fleeing the Darfur crisis. He will be missed. His obituary is available online.
- José Andrés details his use of solar cookers at Life is Beautiful event in National Geographic - In an article for National Geographic, Chef José Andrés writes about his pop-up restaurant, Sunny Day, which he opened at the Life is Beatufiul event in Las Vegas, NV. Sunny Day used solar cookers to cook their signature dish, vegetarian tacos, during the day and clean-burining ethanol in the evening. Read article...
- Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen Restaurant featured in The Guardian - Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen Restaurant, the traveling solar restaurant from Catalan designer Martí Guixé, Chef Antto Melasniemi and Lapin Kulta beer, was featured in an article in The Guardian as an innovative user of solar energy. The piece discusses the journey of this experimental solar restaurant, including how they were able to cook in Finland in -15°C. Also featured are new innovations in photovoltaic technology, a new apartment in Hamburg, Germany which grows algae for fuel with solar energy, and simple method for water disinfection. Read article...
Bjorn Qorn makes popcorn for sale with their In-the-ground solar cooker.
- Another business uses solar cooking to prepare their product - New-member Bjorn Qorn located in New York, USA, has created a large In-the-ground solar cooker to cook their locally-harvested corn for sale as popcorn.
November 2014
- José Andrés discusses solar and efficient cooking in Time Magazine - As part of the "What I'm Thankful For" series, celebrity chef, José Andrés, explains that he is thankful that his family has a simple and safe method to cook their food, and how solar cooking and other fuel-efficient cooking methods are bringing this benefit to the world's poor, for whom access to traditional cooking fuels is becoming more difficult and expensive every year. Read more...
Hillary Rodham Clinton Cookstoves Future Summit
- Hillary Clinton acknowledges solar cooking's role in solving cooking fuel crisis - In her keynote speech at a Global Alliance meeting, Hillary Clinton stated that students from the Clinton School of Public Service had traveled overseas to teach solar cooking.
- Create an account and log in to turn off most of the ads on this site.
- EG Solar has created a clever animated video short explaining the benefits of solar cooking - Visit EG Solar.
- New SCInet members - The SCInet wishes to welcome new members Engineers Without Borders - Sweden, established by Swedish engineer Stefan Karnebäck, working on water pasteurization projects in Cameroon, and Bjorn Qorn with their solar-cooked popcorn business.
October 2014
- José Andrés debuts Sunny Day pop-up restaurant at Life is Beautiful festival - At the Life is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas, NV, José Andrés debuted Sunny Day, his new solar-powered pop-up restaurant. His goal for the new pop-up restaurant is to educate Americans about clean cooking around the world. Interview with José Andrés.
Sarah Collins with the Wonderbag
- Heat-retention cooker receives world attention - Wonderbag reports that over 650,000 of the brightly colored heat-retention cooking bags have been distributed worldwide.
Guro Seim, the CEO of Morpho Solar, and Catlin Powers, COO of One Earth Designs, prepare a meal on a SolSource solar cooker. - Morpho Solar
Solar Cooker Success in Afghanistan!
- Solar cooking in the Navajo nation - Raquel Redshirt presented her solar cooker design at the TEDxABQ 2014 conference in Albuquerque, NM on September, 6 2014. She stated that her solar cooker was a more health-conscious option in her community which has a high rate of diabetes.
- Norwegian start-up company tackles heat storage for solar cookers - Guro Seim, CEO of Morpho Solar, announced a breakthrough in the heat storage capabilities for solar cookers. Read more...
- Global Hope Network International delivers solar cookers to Afghanistan - The Global Hope Network International reports its recent success in transporting 300 solar cookers to rural villages in central Afghanistan where all 300 were purchased by villagers.
- Increased demand and success for solar cooking in Mauritania - Solar Clutch has teamed up with Lutheran World Federation to introduce solar cooking to refugees entering Mauritania. Read more at: Solar Cooker Report Mauritania, April 2014
- Gourmet cook shifts to solar catering - Pierre-André Aubert used a mobile solar kitchen unit with an 8m² Scheffler Reflector, mounted on a trailer, in summer 2014 to cook for various events in the south of France. More info... -
- New SCInet members - The SCInet wishes to welcome new member Clement Musonda, an engineer promoting solar cooking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and John Futhey, a solar cooker designer in Santa Rosa, California, USA.
September 2014
 |
Read the Fall 2014 issue of Solar Cooker Review ...or see back issues. |
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Solar Cooker Research
Under the direction of physics professor Dr. Peter Schwartz, a team of physics and engineering students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California are conducting research on a simplified Scheffler reflector design that could be used by people in developing countries to heat water and cook food. They are also researching hybrid technologies that combine the use of a solar reflector and a Rocket Stove for uninterrupted cooking.
-
Dr. Bing Gu, CEO California Sunlight
Dr. Bing Gu was interviewed at the SCInet Solar Cooking Convention 2014. His Fresnel lens solar thermal cooking device can reach 315° (600°F), can track the sun and can store heat for nighttime cooking. He is seeking investors so California Sunlight Corporation can begin mass production.
- New SCInet members - The SCInet wishes to welcome new members, the C.V. Ramen College of Engineering, under the leadership of Sanjib Rout in India. Also California, USA educator Sheela Kiiskila, and Koku Selom Agbavito, Executive Director of A.V.E.S-TOGO. Also, Irene Perbal from Jackson, California, USA has joined, and is represented by Solar Cooking Plus.
The Sun Juicer lightweight parabolic solar cooker
- Successful Kickstarter for the Sun Juicer - Congratulations to Leonel Gotlibowski and the Sun Juicer on their successful Kickstarter campaign! They set a goal of $15,000 and raised a total of $19,152. They describe the Sun Juicer as an emergency ultralight, compact, parabolic solar cooker. Read more...
- Update on Jewish World Watch Solar Cooker Project - Jewish World Watch published their Summer 2014 Solar Cooker Project newsletter. It offers background information on their refugee camp projects, highlights of the latest developments, and how to support it moving forward. Jewish World Watch reports that it has distributed approximately 128,000 CooKits with participation rates of 75% to 100% in the camps where they have worked: Kounoungou, Mile, Oure Cassoni, Touloum, and Iridimi. They also plan to provide an additional cooking pot for 10,000 families. Read more...
August 2014
- From 'Wonderbags' to solar cooking, brilliant solutions to Africa's alarming charcoal problem - Mali & Guardian Africa (See also: Wonderbag page)
Energy needs graph of the Ram Krishna Mission Student’s Home, Mylapore, Chennai, India - Ajay Chandak
- Institutional solar cooker with heat storage allows cooking after sunset - Commissioned on October 26, 2013, the steam-based ARUN®100 solar cooking system at the Ram Krishna Mission Student’s Home, Mylapore, Chennai in India now allows early morning and evening cooking. The accompanying graph shows when they need to cook and when the mid-day sun recharges the system. Read more about it at: ARUN®100 with Thermal Storage at Ramkrishna Mission, Chennai - Ajay Chandak
3,484 children from 80+ schools participated in the previous world's largest solar cooking class in Mumbai.
- The stage is set for the next world's largest solar cooking workshop - A Bhayander, India based NGO, Keshav Srushti, in a bid to spread awareness on solar cooking, will be gathering 25,000 students from 500 schools across Mumbai on January 15, 2015 to cook solar-powered dishes. Read more...
- Solar Cookers International contributes data for US-Africa Leaders Summit - President Barack Obama announced August 6th, 2014 that the U.S. NGO community invested over $1.5 billion in Africa in 2013 and anticipates investing another $4 billion over the next three years. Solar Cookers International (SCI) was one of the members of the InterAction network collaborating to collect data on U.S. NGO aid spending in Africa. See information on SCI’s current projects and the news release.
- Solar Cookers International is hiring! - Based on needs identified at the recent SCInet Solar Cooking Convention, SCI is hiring a full-time Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist to promote data collection and project evaluation practices within the global solar cooking sector. Read full job description.
July 2014
- New video from Pat McArdle where people from all around the world tell why they solar cook:
 Yes We Do Solar Cook |
Solar Cooking Festival 2014, Sacramento, California, USA
- Solar cooking conference extols virtues of cookers to developing world (Sacramento Bee) - Hundreds of people Saturday cooked using only the power of the sun – a practice little used in the United States, but considered a liberating tool for women in developing countries that also helps curb greenhouse gas emissions. Read more...
A heat-retention cooker designed for multiple pots.
- The value of heat-retention cooking reviewed - Kris De Decker, author and founder of Low-Tech Magazine, reviews the history of heat-retention cooking and its value when used with solar cookers. If We Insulate Our Houses, Why Not Our Cooking Pots?
June 2014
- A New Turn Toward Solar Cooking - Pia Piroschka Otte. Learn how solar cookers are accepted and used in Burkina Faso and India. This paper discusses six case-studies from the two countries where Scheffler reflectors were used by a diverse selection of institutions. More information about how solar cooker use can vary between cultures can be found on the solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables page.
- Solar Cooking: The No-Fuel, No-Emissions Way to Make Dinner - Edible Manhattan
- Household air pollution from cooking fires kills more people than malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS combined - The journal Nature reports on a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report that states that 4.3 million people die annually from household air pollution caused by polluting biomass stoves used by one-third of the global population. However, efforts to introduce more efficient biomass stoves are failing. Read article in Nature: Global health: Deadly dinners
- José Andrés thinks food can fix the world, starting in Haiti - The Washington Post
May 2014
- Your data is requested for NIH household air pollution study - Request for Information (RFI): Global Cookstove Distribution Programs and Projects for Evaluation of Health Benefits - Data submission is due June 30, 2014
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Read the Spring 2014 issue of Solar Cooker Review ...or see back issues. |
Reciprocal light testing, (Earthbound Technology photo)
- Photo of reciprocal light creates new approach to solar cooker testing - William Bradley, founder of Earthbound Technology, has been developing a new way to be able to analyze potential performance of solar cookers
Engineers Without Borders - Iran solar cooking workshop
- Solar cooking advocate in Iran trains high school students - Soheil Salimi, a twenty-two year old civil engineering student, has started a chapter of Engineers Without Borders - Iran, and has begun organizing solar cooking workshops in his free time. His latest class was at the Hafez high school for girls. Read more about his projects on his personal page.
April 2014
- Three cheers for the Girl Scouts - Girl Scouts in Texas can now earn a solar energy patch studying solar cooking and photovoltaic electrical generation
- German solar cooker manufacturer reaches impressive milestone - Stephan Zech, with Sun and Ice, reports that they have distributed 50,000 parabolic solar cookers in the last ten years.
March 2014
Nicaraguan group Solar Women of Totogalpa prepares baked goods for sale
- How solar energy empowers women, youth in rural Nicaragua - Forty years ago Sabana Grande was ravaged by war. Now you will find people sitting under solar-powered lights, eating solar-cooked chicken, and drinking smoothies made by a bicycle-powered blender. Sabana Grande has embraced a solar culture that has transformed the community. Read more... (See also other solar restaurants and bakeries.)
- NGO initiates second phase of solar bakery project in Burundi - Regions 20 continues its efforts to help local bakers organize their solar bakery. More information... Update: The deadline to submit proposals to supply the solar ovens has been extended.. Interested parties will find more information here: Invitation to Tender For Solar Bakery Project, Burundi. The scale of the project may be rather small, but the funding and implementation is coming from world leaders in the field of economic and environmental relief.
- Renewable Energy Cooking Resource Center under construction in Biharwe, Uganda
February 2014
See Sun and Ice.
- French solar cuisine done with style - Sun and Ice shares photos of one of their reflectors incorporated into a portable solar kitchen, created by one of their customers in France. The small, trailered construction is a rolling work of art. See more photos on the facebook page.
- Solar Cookers International (SCI) is proud to receive funding from The Agua Fund, Inc. for the SCInet Wiki. Read SCI’s current Annual Report.
January 2014
- Hybrid solar cooker includes electrical back-up option - Since 2010, David Chalker, founder of the Sun BD Corporation, has been working on a version of a solar box cooker that includes an electrical heating element, rated at 465 watts / 120v. The SunFocus has a built-in thermostat which will turn off the electrical heating element once the cooker has reached 150°C (300°F). The cookers are made in Waterloo, New York, USA.
The MiniSun12H lamp recharges in sunlight.
- Solar cooking works with solar lighting to help families save money - Stephen Pearson, founder of SUN-LIFE, has been helping residents of Ghana for many years save on cooking fuel expense by learning to use the CooKit solar cooker. His new goal is to help these families further reduce their kerosene usage by offering a low cost portable lamp to replace their fuel-burning lanterns. The new MiniSun12H lamp has an integrated photovoltaic panel to recharge the lamp during the day. The projected retail price for the lamp is $5 USD. His reasoning is; if a family can save on cooking fuel using the CooKit, then they will have enough money to be able to buy the new lamp. Using both approaches, the families should be able to save $50-100 USD on kerosene expense annually. Money is saved, and indoor air pollution is reduced. You can help him with this project by supporting his efforts at Indiegogo fund raising. You can learn more about the new lamp in this short video.
- International aid organization seeks solar cookers for bakery in Burundi - The global relief organization R20-Regions of Climate Action has organized a solar bakery project in Rutegama, Burundi. Currently the bakery, in operation since 2006, has relied on wood-fired ovens, with the wood needing to be gathered by the women working at the bakery. They are soliciting proposals from tenders interested in providing three institutional solar ovens required to convert the bakery to solar. The ovens must be limited to three meters (a little under 10 ft.) in height, and if carried, weighing no more than 10 kg (22 lbs.). Update: new deadline of offers to be submitted by Friday 28th February 2014. Interested parties will find more information here: Invitation to Tender For Solar Bakery Project, Burundi. The scale of the project may be rather small, but the funding and implementation is coming from world leaders in the field of economic and environmental relief.
Recently constructed solar box cookers in Ovalle, Chile.
- New solar cookers ready for distribution in Chile - Guai Bao, traveling in Chile, sent along this photo of newly constructed solar box cookers at a manufacturing facility in Ovalle. The cookers are well thought out. They are sturdy with insulated inner walls, and an internal high-back reflector to catch the sun. The front wall is low and slightly tipped forward to avoid blocking any sunlight. The external side reflectors appear to be able swing closed and protect the glass surface. They look ready to start cooking sitting on the small tables, which provides a convenient work height for users. The cooker construction is being supervised by Ruddy Viscarra. See more assembly photos on facebook.
3,484 children from 80+ schools participated in the world's largest solar cooking class in Mumbai. Read more...
- India raises the bar for the world's largest solar cooking class - "As many as 3,484 children from over 80 schools participated in the largest solar cooking initiative Suryakumbha on January 4th, which has qualified as an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records. The emergence of renewable sources of energy as an answer to the imminent exhaustion of conventional energy sources pushed a Bhayander NGO, Keshav Srushti, to start with the most influential members of society, children." The class was held in Mumbai, India. Read more...
- The January 2014 issue of Solar Cooker Review is now available online.
,_Ajay_Chandak,_8-12-14.jpg){kind=link}
2013
- Main article: Solar cooking news archive 2013
2012
- Main article: Solar cooking news archive 2012
2011
- Main article: Solar cooking news archive 2011
2010
- Main article: Solar cooking news archive 2010
2009
- Main article: Solar cooking news archive 2009
2008
- Main article: Solar cooking news archive 2008
Older news
See also Current news or archived news from other years.