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Evaluation of usage and fuel savings of solar ovens in Nicaragua

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  • Bauer, Gordon

Abstract

Solar cooking technology has been promoted as a solution to both global poverty and environmental degradation, but relatively little research exists on the impact of solar oven usage on biomass fuel consumption. This study evaluates solar oven usage and wood consumption in northern Nicaragua during both the rainy and dry seasons, using surveys, temperature dataloggers, and direct measurements of fuelwood use. Solar oven owners reported usage on 79% of days during the dry season, and 41% of days during the rainy season. Comparison with oven temperature records confirmed usage on 50% of days during the dry season, and 16% of days during the rainy season. However, wood consumption measurements showed no statistically significant difference between days with solar oven usage and days without, suggesting that frequency of usage alone is not an appropriate proxy for fuel savings. Survey results suggest that a large part of solar oven usage came in addition to biomass cooking, as opposed to replacing it. These results suggest a need for further study of wood consumption in situ and more focus on the specific kinds of foods prepared in solar cookers, as well as local cultural and climatic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Bauer, Gordon, 2016. "Evaluation of usage and fuel savings of solar ovens in Nicaragua," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 250-257.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:97:y:2016:i:c:p:250-257
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.07.041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Laura E. McCann & Jeffrey D. Michler & Maybin Mwangala & Osaretin Olurotimi & Natalia Estrada Carmona, 2024. "Food Without Fire: Nutritional and Environmental Impacts from a Solar Stove Field Experiment," Papers 2410.02075, arXiv.org.
    3. José Ángel Rodríguez Morales & Mauricio González-Avilés & Hermelinda Servín Campuzano & Omar Masera, 2020. "T’imani a Multifunctional Solar System to Provide Cooking and Water Heating Rural Energy Needs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Zubi, Ghassan & Fracastoro, Gian Vincenzo & Lujano-Rojas, Juan M. & El Bakari, Khalil & Andrews, David, 2019. "The unlocked potential of solar home systems; an effective way to overcome domestic energy poverty in developing regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1425-1435.
    5. Aramesh, Mohamad & Ghalebani, Mehdi & Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Zamani, Hosein & Lorenzini, Giulio & Mahian, Omid & Wongwises, Somchai, 2019. "A review of recent advances in solar cooking technology," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 419-435.
    6. Meza, Carlos Germán & Zuluaga Rodríguez, Catalina & D'Aquino, Camila Agner & Amado, Nilton Bispo & Rodrigues, Alcantaro & Sauer, Ildo Luis, 2019. "Toward a 100% renewable island: A case study of Ometepe's energy mix," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 628-648.

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