SOLAR OVENS THREE TYPES Heat Trap boxes Curved

SOLAR OVENS

THREE TYPES Heat Trap boxes Curved Concentrators (parabolics) Panel Cookers There are many variations on these basic types Also, large scale solar cooking systems have been developed to meet the needs of people worldwide

BASIC PRINCIPLES Sunlight as Fuel (Energy source) § Solar cooker needs an outdoor spot that is sunny for several hours and protected from strong wind § They don’t work at night or if it is cloudy

Convert sunlight to heat energy § Dark surfaces get very hot in sunlight whereas light surfaces don’t § So food cookers should be dark, shallow, thin metal pots with tight fitting lids

Retain Heat § Transparent heat trap around the dark pot lets un sunlight but keeps in the heat § Things that can be used: clear heat resistant plastic bag or large inverted glass bowl

Capture Extra Sunlight § More shiny surfaces the better to capture extra sunlight to increase heat potential

BOX COOKER

CURVED CONCENTRATOR COOKER

PANEL COOKER

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS Use one of these three as a model and make it your own – be creative Before beginning make a plan! Decide what your cooker will look like and what you need to make it Don’t waste time! It is not a fast project and it pays off to finish this class