Large environmental, health, social and economical problems are connected with the use of

fossil fuels and, in a dominating part of the world, also the use of firewood. The goal for this

project was to develop and design an optimal solar oven system intended for food cooking

and water pasteurisation. Further the advantages and disadvantages, compared with other

energy resources were evaluated. Tests were carried out in Sweden as well as in Sri Lanka.

An extensive range of prototypes were tested and sifted out to a small number of designs that

were tested in Sri Lanka. A large number of evaluations and tests were carried out on many

different materials, among others tests were conducted according to the international standard

“Testing and Reporting Solar Cooker Performance ASAE S580 JAN03”.

The report shows a number of benefits compared to previous reports on the subject, for

example the development of indoor tests, the extensiveness and objectiveness of the tests, and

the fact that the report combines extensive practical test results with solid theoretical

background information.

The test resulted in two solar ovens with the same parabolic design but made out of different

materials. One oven is cheaper, simpler to produce and is considered for the target group poor

people in developing countries. This is made out of a corrugated cardboard that is covered

with aluminium foil. The second oven is more expensive but also more durable and is

intended for more wealthy people in the west that wants a good alternative to regular ways of

cooking food. It is made out of aluminium plate and mirrors.