Solar energy for institutional cooking in India: prospects and potential

Abstract

A framework to estimate the potential of solar cooking for institutional level applications is presented. Using the weather data of a given location (such as solar radiation, ambient temperature, and wind speed), the proposed framework estimates the number of days in a year when solar cooking is feasible and consequently the amount of useful energy saved. Around 57% of the annual useful energy required for cooking (5475 TJ/year out of 9562 TJ/year) in the institution-types considered in this study can be met with solar energy. The adoption of solar cooking in these institution-types is expected to save 197 thousand tonnes of LPG annually. The corresponding annual amount of CO2 emissions mitigation is estimated at 592 thousand tonnes. Amongst the six institution-types considered in the study, cooking of mid-day meal (MDM) in government schools of India has the maximum potential of solar cooking. The annual potential of useful energy savings with the use of solar energy for cooking of MDM is estimated at 3881 TJ out of a gross requirement of 6960 TJ/year. The framework developed and approach used in the study can be used for assessment of potential of institutional solar cooking as well as identification of niche areas for immediate intervention in any other country as well.