Evaluation framework for small-dimension solar cookers

Abstract

The present work introduces an evaluation framework for small-dimension solar cookers based on three parameters: energy efficiency, ease of use, and economic accessibility. Each parameter evaluates various quantifiable indicators, as a) energy efficiency: standardized cooking power, heating time, and thermal performance, b) ease of use: load capacity in the pot, mass in relation to collector area, orientations per hour, and c) economic accessibility: cost per watt generated and durability of the reflector and/or thermal accumulator. Each indicator has been assigned a maximum and minimum evaluation; data obtained from these indicators were integrated in a radial graph. The sum of the indicators constitutes the aspect to be compared, but the graph also allows us to interpret the strengths and weaknesses described above. This framework requires two or more devices, since it is a comparative tool.