Solar Cooking Assessment: Efficiency and Feasibility using a Parabolic Solar Reflector Francisco de Yojoa, Cortés, Honduras

Abstract

This study focuses on the implementation and construction of a prototype solar stove with the objective of evaluating its viability in the rural area of San Francisco de Yojoa, where firewood predominates as the main source of energy for cooking. The prototype has a reflective area of 1.27 m2 that incorporates mirror fragments and maintains temperatures above 180 °C from 8 am to 3 pm, providing a significant window of solar resource utilization on a daily basis. Compared to conventional gas and electric stoves, the solar stove achieves temperatures ranging from 40 to 92.5 °C, with a maximum power output of 444.74 W at midday. Thermal power experiments corroborate its competitiveness. The focal point, covering 530.93 cm2, concentrates 33% at 186 °C, decreasing to 85.6 °C in regions farther away from the center. From an economic perspective, the initial investment of $206.08 is recovered in 1 year and 8 months, which represents a saving compared to the monthly consumption of LPG gas ($10.15 per cylinder) for a family of 5 members.