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Solar Cookers for All:

Towards Sustainable Cooking in Lubumbashi

Sylvain BALUME BADERHA

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Problem: Deforestation and energy access

Access to sustainable energy sources is a significant challenge in many developing countries

Charcoal costs are 30-40% of household income

Over-exploitation of wood energy species

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Problem: Health risks and inequality education

Women and children are most affected by fuel collection and cooking

Women and children exposure to smoke inhalation and the premature death

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How solar cookers work ?

Cooking temperature

Solar cooking: A sustainable solution

Reflectors

Insulated box

Dark-colored pot

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Types of solar cookers

Box cookers

Panel cookers

Parabolic cookers

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Importance: A sustainable choice

Reduces Deforestation

Less reliance on firewood preserves forests

Combats Desertification

Preserves vegetation cover in vulnerable areas

Mitigates Climate Change

Lowers carbon emissions by reducing burning wood

Improves Air Quality

Reduces indoor smoke and respiratory illnesses by eliminating firewood smoke

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Health impact: Cleaner air, healthier lives

Reduced Premature Deaths

WHO estimates 3.8 million premature deaths annually from household air pollution.

Eliminates Indoor Smoke

Reduces respiratory infections, especially in children from smoke inhalation.

Water Pasteurisation

Boiling water with solar cookers kills waterborne pathogens, making water safer to drink.

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Lubumbashi: Ideal conditions

High Solar Irradiance

Over 200 sunny days per year

Growing environmental awareness

Local Materials

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Solar Cookers for All (Sc4all) project

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Sc4all project: Objective

Design and promote solar cookers tailored to the needs of households in Lubumbashi

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Sc4all project: What is already done?

Oven Type

Parabola Type

Hybrid Type

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Sc4all project: Cooking traditional meals

FOUFOU

In 30min like on the Charcoal stoves

Sufficient temperature

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Sc4all project: Cooking traditional meals

In 3h like on the Charcoal stoves

Sufficient temperature

The BEANS HAVE BURNED

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Using a solar cooker: A simple guide

Placement

Face the sun, adjust cooker periodically.

Preparation

Use dark, thin pots, cover food.

Cooking Times

Adjust based on sunlight intensity.

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Implementation strategy

Local Partnerships

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Community-Based

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Micro-Enterprise

Education

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3

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Sustainability and impact

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Social impact: Empowerment and opportunity

Time Savings

Economic Opportunities

Improved Education

Community Empowerment

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The future is solar

Solar cooking: practical and sustainable

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solar cookers is available to all communities

Performance similar to and close to market models

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Sc4all project: What remains to be done?

  • Improving the reflectivity of materials

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  • Raising user awareness of its use

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  • Reduce the size of prototypes adapted to household sizes

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  • Ongoing collaboration with communities

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  • Share the benefits of solar cooking by scientifics outputs

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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28/04/2025