Dr Ashok Kundapur is a retired professor and a solar cooker enthusiast. He has been keenly studying and promoting solar cookers and is an active environmentalist based in Udupi, Karnataka. He has authored the Compendium of Solar Cooker Designs.
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Compendium_of_solar_cooker_designs
Interview with Dr Ashok Kundapur
Yes ! Solar Cookers can address all the 4 problems, provided a large number of people use it. It can save money for them and also help them earn if they can use it for producing some marketable items. Lack of awareness is a big obstacle, even though the Govt of India as well as several NGOs are trying to popularize solar cookers. Second is poor visibility or demonstrations about ease of use. ‘seeing is believing’ and many have not seen the ease of use. The Bareli Group of Indore is fairly successful is taking the solar cookers to the villages. However, more needs to be done. The third obstacle is that the other fuel options, either in the form of wood/cowdung are still easily available. The ‘value of water is not realized as long as water is available in the well’. I think that ‘precious’ time is nearing on account of peaking oil. All three obstacles are difficult to solve as time has proved it, we should take up the second issue first and try launching demonstration campaigns. That is what I am trying to do; helping enthusiasts who seek my help in fabricating solar cookers, hoping that solar cookers in their home would impress others. I believe the message would spread by ‘word of mouth’. Due to fuel shortage, the Solar Cookers would catch-up, like it is happening, though slowly, in Africa, which is facing acute fuel shortage. The type of food cooked is one on the main cultural issues; our food requires cooking, frying and all these can not be done with one single type of cooker. Of course, Parabolic cooker or Scheffler’s can perform all tasks, but they are costly. In fact in Andhra, some villages are depending on Parabolic type of solar cookers for preparing tit bits for selling in the local market. Cooking outside in the sun is not popular and in summer it would be difficult. Most of the families, including farmers and daily laborers, prefer to cook food early in the morning, so that the members can carry food to work, and this is not possible with solar cookers. Besides eating food cooked previous day is still a taboo in villages as well. Another important issue is the failure of solar cooker due to cloudy weather. Even if this happens on a single day, it is a big deterrent. These were some of the cultural issues I faced some 30 years ago when I had launched solar cooker campaign. They still linger as it is very difficult to get over old habits and customs. Another issue is cost. The Aluminium reflector used is imported and glass mirrors are expensive and do not last long enough if they are not pasted properly. Due to poor demand no manufacturer is interested in making solar grade reflectors or mirrors in India. According to Ministry of Renewable Energy (MNRE) Government of India, there could be over 2 million Solar Cookers, mostly of them box type of course, but a good guess would be only about 15 to 20% of them are being used on a regular basis. I hope and pray that at least 75% of our countrymen will buy or make solar cookers and atleast 50% of them will use solar cookers regularly, say in another 15 – 20 years. The lower middle class, basically, especially those who are in smaller towns. People is large cities may not get enough sunshine. This is another important reason for unpopularity of solar cookers. If both the cookers are offered at the same price, any one would prefer a parabolic cooker, for it can cater to all types of cooking operations, and food cooks faster. (at present a parabolic cooker costs over Rs.8500/- while a box cooker costs about Rs.1750/- to 2500/-, and a cardboard cooker can be made from scrap for just about Rs 60/- or so) Solar Panel cookers are cheapest, cost just about Rs 75 to 100. Some NGOs in Maharastra are trying to use mud backing for the same (for box type cooker). The other low cost options could be: Hemispherical cookers, could be made easily at villages, but they have not received due consideration, except in places like Auroville. A solar cooker capable of cooking from inside the kitchen would be most favored one specially if the cost is say with in Rs 2500, but that would be a farfetched idea (Schffler’s would cost more than Rs 12,000). I have proposed at least two designs; one of them called Concept XI could be popular if the concentrator (a big Fresnel Lens of Plastic) is made in India. The lens, placed outside, concentrates solar rays, which are deflected to the base of vessel inside the kitchen. I have applied for a grant too for evolving a solar cooker for community cooking needs like in schools. At present Aluminium foil is the best low cost ‘substitute’ available. Some are trying to polish and coat Aluminium sheets. ‘Silicon’ coating would be excellent. We are also trying to procure Solar Grade Mirror reflectors (smaller ones of 2 mm thick glass) on a large scale which can then be used for Parabolic as well as Panel type of cookers. Small quantities of Solar Grade Aluminium reflector could be available with Dr Ajay Chandak, of Prince Solar. Yes!! One can also use white (silvery) PP sheets used for gift packing, but the problem is they do not last long. Same is true for Aluminized Polyester. The need is to order for special Solar grade materials. The best sun is available in a state like Rajasthan and then all other states, including places like Uttarakhand. Except Konkan (including North,South Canara & Kerala) stretch where we have clouds and rain for more than 5 months in an year. Way back in 1980, I had experimented with plastic solar water heaters, but I guess I had selected bad plastic components. With a good durable materials like HDPE or Elastomer like EPDM tubes, the system should last more than 10 years. Plastic Water heaters could heat water upto 600C. Another design is Box type, which also works well and can heat water to more than 600C. I had made one with GI sheets, but they did not last long. One with Copper or SS sheets can last longer. Light weight thermocole sheets can be used to cover the system at night. (The cost would be half of regular Thermosiphon type). I had also tried the very low cost plastic bag type devices of PVC. It was sort of batch type device, when water heats say , to 600C, it will get drained into a insulated drum of 400 lit. Thus, about 400 or more lit of water could be heated at 10% cost of Thermosiphon type of water heater. I had, launched a small venture to manufacture them way back in 80’s, but as I was also working did not succeed in business. I had also received a grant for working on Thermosiphon type water heaters but the amount was a paltry Rs 2500/- ( even though grant requested was Rs 25,000/-). No. These stoves are expensive due to non availability of good quality, low cost reflective material. You are most welcome to do so. It is good to use local News papers as the internet is still not reachable to many in India. MNRE certifies only one type of Solar cooker, the Box type, and they also set a standard for the same, which is very heavy and not so appealing.
I understand that solar cookers can solve 4 problems a) indoor smoke hurting kids b) outdoor pollution c) deforestation d) Mothers spending excessive time collecting wood. Of these where have you seen the best results from using solar cookers?
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What are the 3 biggest obstacles that prevent solar cookers from being used by millions across India?
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Of these 3 obstacles what is the easiest to solve? Why?
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What are 3 culture issues that slow the use of solar cooking in India?
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How many families in India could potentially be using solar for cooking at least half of the time?
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What is your dream for India regarding solar cookers?
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Who do you find are the most interested in solar cooking solutions?
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How do you compare the potential of a parabolic stove vs a simple cardboard solar stove?
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I have seen online many different low cost solar cookers. Can you list in order the 3 best solar cooking solutions for India and why?
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Who are other solar stove experts in India?
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What ideas do you have so that solar oven use spreads spontaneous via sales instead of via donations? It seems like this model will make sure the product is improved based on the customer’s needs.
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Where can low costing reflective material be purchased in India?
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Is it possible to use the inside of potato chip bags as a reflective material?
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Please list in order the 3 Indian states that have the best sun for using solar cookers.
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Do you have any good ideas for very low cost water heating for the average rural Indian family?
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Have you ever seen parabolic stoves sold in India for less Rs 2000. If not, why not?
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You have created a very nice pattern for making a solar cooker. May we publish it to give it more exposure?
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Anything else important you wish to say?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a very interesting interview about many aspects of solar cooking in India – thanks for publishing it! Dr Ashok Kundapur is an expert with years of experience so his insights are important. I found his understanding of cultural issues especially useful. He does not sugar coat solar as an easy solution yet at the same time he is optimistic and describes what might trigger greater use of solar stoves in India. All his answers were helpful I only wish he had indicated how to contact India’s five top solar experts.
I am settIed in Pune and am greatly interested in making this mode cooking popular in India. I have seen the one made by shri Paradeshi.
I will be in touch with you for help.
Thanks,
mbdeshpande.
Hi I am from Delhi.I would like to purchase the solar cooker but i need medium size cooker.I have searched it online and also checked in some shops but i don’t get it yet.Can you please suggest me .
A very nicely written, comprehensive work on this aspect.
Dear Sir,
I have a candle making unit in Kerala. I think my business develop with solar stove. Where can I easily get it from kerala or Thamilnadu. Please send me the details
Thanking You
Renjith
09846469731
Ernakulam
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