Synthesis of Solar Cookers and Evaluation of Their Thermal Performances.

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to provide an overview of used solar cookers and to describe the essential parameters for testing and evaluating their thermal performance. Several categories of solar cookers are found in the literature servey. The price of solar cookers has recently been reduced by around 56%, from 530 Dhs to 235 Dhs. The manufacturing cost remains around 200 Dhs. They are classified into four main families: box cookers, concentrator cookers, ovens, and indirect solar cookers. Each family is divided into three types of solar cookers namely: Photovoltaic, Thermal and Hybrid solar cookers. Photovoltaic solar cooker remains the cooker of the future. Indeed, the cooking temperature can be increased by adjusting the parameters of the PV generator used. Similarly, the electrical energy provided by the PV source can be stored using solar batteries. This storage allows the users to prepare meals regardless of lighting conditions. In addition, the cost of PV modules is decreasing.