Solar PV Cook-stove

Market Suggested Retail Price

$925.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The Energy Swaraj Foundation which manufactures the solar PV cook-stoves currently takes orders online and distributes the cook-stoves themselves, however they are looking for distributors to work with them retailing the cook-stove worldwide.^{Interview with representative in 2020} The pilot is being implemented through a collaboration between IIT-Bombay, an NGO in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh called Bharat Bharti Shiksha Samiti and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

Manufacturing/Building Method

The Solar PV Cook-stove is being manufactured by the Energy Swaraj Foundation in Mumbai.^{Interview with representative in 2020 in 2020}

Intellectural Property Type

Trademarked

User Provision Model

The Solar PV Cook-stove is currently available to purchase commercially from the Energy Swaraj Foundation, but the PCB designs are open for all to use.^{Interview with representativ in 2020} Those who live in Bancha Village, Betul District, Madhya Pradesh, obtained the stove through IIT-Bombay's collaboration with Bharat Bharti Shiksha Samiti.

Distributions to Date Status

Up to January 2020 when commercial sales started, 86 solar PV cook-stoves had been distributed with funding from ONGC, including covering all the families in Bancha village under the pilot program. From commencement of commercial sales in January 2020 to March 2020, 5 complete solar PV cook-stove systems were sold.^{Interview with representative in 2020}

Design Specifications

The Solar PV Cook-stove is designed to use sunlight to cook all types of food typically eaten in India, at any time of day or night. The design includes one or two 1 kW induction rings depending on the model and an optional 500 W resistive cooker to heat the pots and pans. The induction rings are capable of producing cooking temperatures over 160 °C making it capable of being used for cooking all types of typical Indian cuisine. The developers specify that "It can be used for all cooking processes like boiling, steaming, frying, griddling, etc." The largest version of the system is capable of supplying 3 kWh of energy sufficient to cook 3 meals per day for a 5 person family. It operates on 48 V DC electricity produced by 4 solar PV panels providing a total of 1 kW of power. 4 Lead Acid batteries (total storage 7 kWh) enable cooking at night and provide a day of back up for rainy or overcast conditions. The induction rings are housed in a plastic casing designed to increase durability and ease of use of the cookstove and safety for the user. The casing has a battery power meter to indicate it's state of charge and usage and ventilation gaps in the sides. For the larger model, the rings power levels are adjusted using rotatable knobs similar to those found on typical electric hobs for usability, while on the smaller model three switches control the degree of heat. The commercially available smaller model of the cookstove (single ring) weighs approximately 1 kg (excluding panels and batteries) and has the following specifications:

Technical Support

For those using the product in Bancha village under the pilot, two villagers have been trained to maintain the stoves, and IIT-Bombay are still monitoring the pilot so can provide additional technical support as needed.

Replacement Components

Replaceable components include the batteries and solar panels.

Lifecycle

Dr. Solanki, a professor at IIT-Bombay who supervised the team that designed the Solar PV Cook-stove, estimates the lifetime for similar products at 20 years and 5 years for batteries. A 1 year manufacturer's warranty is provided with the cookstove.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The product was designed to achieve a high score in all of the 5C's (Convenience, Control, Cost-effectiveness, clean and compactness) which are criteria for comparing modern cooking solutions. It was intended to not produce any air pollution to address the indoor air pollution problem with existing stoves that have caused negative health outcomes. It can fulfill the energy demand to cook 3 meals a day for a family of 5 people and can be operated at night in contrast to other solar cookstoves.

Vetted Performance Status

Testing performed by the manufacturer determined the cookstove offers 3-4 hour cooking time per day on a full charge and is both suitable for all types of domestic cooking processes and sufficient for a family of 5 members. Manufacturer testing results are in the below table. No third-party testing has been completed.^{Interview with representative in 2020}  

Safety

The product uses a 48 V DC power supply from it's solar panels and batteries to improve electrical safety, however users should take appropriate precautions when using electrical devices and be cautious that the stove-top may remain hot for some time after cooking.

Complementary Technical Systems

Use of insulated vessels capable of induction cooking can reduce the energy requirement for the cookstove by 10%. It would be possible to power other electrical appliances using the electricity stored in the lead-acid batteries. IIT Bombay has also developed a solar PV rice cooker and a solar tea cart.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The solar PV cookstove is ISO 9001-2008 certified.

Other Information

In September 2018, a Know-how and licensing transfer event was held to share knowledge and licensing rights relating to the product with other parties. A video of Prof Solanki presenting his research on the Dawn of Solar PV Cooking (linked in academic research above) can be found here. Two videos demonstrating the Solar PV Cook-stove can be found here and here. The Solar PV Cook-stove is currently being piloted in 74 homes in Bancha village of Betul district, Madhya Pradesh, India. India Today produced a video showing the impact of the solar PV cook-stove on Bacha village in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. There are plans to expand the pilot to a village in Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh. This product won the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's Solar Chulha Challenge which was intended to encourage development of an alternative to the biomass-fueled chulhas used by 700 million Indians. Here are several photos showing internal components of the stove: