Solar Energy Using the Sun’s Energy to Cook Food

The idea of using the Sun’s energy as a source of power is not new… “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait ‘til oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” Thomas Edison Thomas Edison, John Burroughs, and Henry Ford March 16, 1914

Some Facts from Solar Cookers International  Nearly 40% of all people in the world cook their meals over wood fires.  Nearly 12% of all people in the world are without safe drinking water. (Boiling the water would help.)  One solar cooker can save 1 ton of wood per year.  1.8 tons of carbon dioxide would not reach the atmosphere if trees were not cut and burned for cooking fires.

Scientists Who are Improving the Solar Cooker Dr. Barbara KnudsonLouise Meyer

Scientists Who are Improving the Solar Cooker Allart Ligtenberg David Glaser

What do you think are the benefits of using a solar cooker to cook?  Solar cookers:  Do not generate air pollution  Do not generate greenhouse gases  Do not produce smoke  Eliminate fire dangers  Reduce the reliance on coal and wood

Scientists who work in developing countries to promote solar cooking have also found the following benefits. Solar cooking:  Cooks foods slowly and thoroughly  Preserves nutrients in food  Is less likely to burn food  Has demonstrated that cooking pots stay cleaner and use less water to clean  Can be used for preserving food, such as canning vegetables or drying fruit

What do you think are the limitations of using a solar cooker for cooking?  It needs to be a clear, sunny day. Cloudy days would not be optimal.  Meals may not be prepared as fast as other methods of cooking.  Once the food is prepared, it would need to be stored in a warm place in order to keep it hot.  Cooking must be done outside.  Food may have a different texture when cooked in a solar cooker.

Your goal for this experimental design lesson is to:  Design and build a solar cooker.  You will test it once (as a control measurement).  Your group will change one variable.  The oven will be tested again.

Some things to consider…  What is the fuel needed?  What type of surface might capture more sunlight?  What materials are good solar conductors?  What materials are good insulators?