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Solar box cookers: Towards a decentralized sustainable energy strategy for sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Carmody, Ellie R.
  • Sarkar, Amin U.

Abstract

The continued economic decline of sub-Saharan Africa, and the African energy crisis in particular, have received considerable attention in recent literature. Little attention, however, has been given to the assessment of solar power as an environmentally sound and economically viable energy strategy. Considering the increasing fuelwood scarcity and debt incurred through petroleum imports, solar energy provides a welcome alternative to traditional biomass and fossil fuel energy sources. Research and development in solar energy has concentrated primarily on highly technical, capital intensive applications, leaving possibilities for small scale utilizations unexplored. This paper argues for small scale, decentralized development of solar power as a sustainable household fuel source for sub-Saharan Africa. Domestic cooking constitutes more than 60% of total energy use in the region and consumes scarce time, labor, income, and natural resources. Thus, the appropriate management of fuel and energy resources in the residential sector is crucial for significant development. This paper examines the economic viability of solar box cookers (SBCs), their costs and benefits both on the household and community levels, and how they may contribute to economic development. In arguing for the implementation of SBCs, policy implications in terms of financing and a comprehensive energy plan geared towards sustainable development are also presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmody, Ellie R. & Sarkar, Amin U., 1997. "Solar box cookers: Towards a decentralized sustainable energy strategy for sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 1(4), pages 291-301, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:1:y:1997:i:4:p:291-301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Merkle, Thomas, 1994. "Applied solar energy plants in a hospital in Northern Ghana," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 454-456.
    2. Jain, Pushpendra K. & Nijegorodov, Nikolai & Kartha, C.G., 1994. "Role of solar energy in development in Botswana," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 179-188.
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    1. Peter, Raja & Dickie, Laurence & Peter, Vasanthi M., 2006. "Adoption of photovoltaic power supply systems: A study of key determinants in India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(14), pages 2272-2283.
    2. Saxena, Abhishek & Varun & Pandey, S.P. & Srivastav, G., 2011. "A thermodynamic review on solar box type cookers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 3301-3318, August.
    3. Peter, Raja & Ramaseshan, B & Nayar, C.V, 2002. "Conceptual model for marketing solar based technology to developing countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 511-524.
    4. Otte, Pia Piroschka, 2013. "Solar cookers in developing countries—What is their key to success?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 375-381.
    5. Vanschoenwinkel, Janka & Lizin, Sebastien & Swinnen, Gilbert & Azadi, Hossein & Van Passel, Steven, 2014. "Solar cooking in Senegalese villages: An application of best–worst scaling," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 447-458.
    6. Otte, Pia Piroschka, 2014. "Developing technology: The quest for a new theoretical framework for understanding the role of technology in human development," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 11-17.
    7. Naik, Hardik & Baredar, Prashant & Kumar, Anil, 2017. "Medium temperature application of concentrated solar thermal technology: Indian perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 369-378.
    8. Lindgren, Samantha, 2021. "Cookstove implementation and Education for Sustainable Development: A review of the field and proposed research agenda," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).

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