Comparative Performance Analysis of Single- and Double-Glazed Solar Cookers: An Experimental Study of Different Designs

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive experimental evaluation of two different solar cookers with a focus on glass implementation for enhanced performance. The solar cooker, designed as a box-type system, harnesses sunlight for cooking applications, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. The experimental investigation involves rigorous testing of two solar cookers under varying conditions to assess its thermal efficiency, cooking time, and overall effectiveness. Results from the experiments provide valuable insights into the cooker's performance under different solar conditions. Additionally, the study explores the impact of glazing number on cooking efficiency and energy utilization. The results first revealed the high performance of the triangular shape of the solar cooker compared with the trapezoidal shape, with maximum temperatures of around 110°C and 120°C respectively for the no-load case. In addition, it has shown that double glazing ensures high performance and the ability to raise the temperature of the absorber and the air inside the system for both cookers. These results contribute to a better understanding of box-type solar cookers and offer practical recommendations for improving their efficiency by enhancing optical performance in harnessing solar energy. These cookers also contribute to ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and applicability of solar cooking technologies, promoting their adoption for sustainable, clean energy solutions.