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Last edited: 10 August 2024
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 Demo of the Sun Cook solar oven from Sun Cooking Australia
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Events[]
Featured international events[]
- NEW: 11-22 November 2024 (Baku, Azerbaijan ): COP29 - The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP29, will be the 29th United Nations Climate Change conference to be held at Baku Stadium. More information...
- 12-14 March 2025 (Bridgetown, Barbados): Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum - Building on Prime Minister Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative for the reform of development finance, the Forum will address the challenge of how we can mobilize sufficient finance on the right terms to meet global goals, especially for the most underserved communities, countries and regions – such as Small Island Developing States. The event wil be co-hosted by Sustainable Energy for All and the Government of Barbados, led by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. Project site visits will take place Friday, 14 March. More information...
Requests for proposal[]
- The deadline for receipt of abstracts is 15th December 2024 - Advances in Solar Thermal Food Processing (CONSOLFOOD2025) is being planned for the 5th, 6th and 7th of May, 2025 in Marseille, France. The gathering expects to attract, once again, top experts from all over the world to present and discuss topics related to advances in solar food processing and solar cooking. An exhibition of solar cookers will be available for viewing during the conference at the nearby the solar restaurant Le Présage. The solar restaurant, along with the demonstration cookers, will produce a solar lunch. The whole conference program will be delivered in hybrid format, so those who register, but are not present at Marseille, will be able to participate online. Your abstracts should be sent via email to Celestino Ruivo at cruivo@ualg.pt in .doc, .docx, or pdf format. You should limit your abstract to 400 words, and follow these guidelines. All abstracts will be reviewed and assessed by members of the scientific committee. The organizing committee will inform each author whether their submitted abstract has been accepted. The committee encourages all authors to write an optional full length paper for inclusion in our conference proceedings. Successful authors should pre-record their presentations, using Powerpoint, or similar software. They will be invited to submit either a) a short presentation, of about 7 minutes duration, or b) a longer presentation, of about 25 minutes to cruivo@ualg.pt by 30th March 2025. The expected conference fee is 200 euros before 1st April 2025. Interested people facing financial difficulties should contact the organizing committee.
- See also: Global Calendar of Events and past events in Australia
News[]
- December 2017: Solar-powered cooking to heat up no-waste festival - SBS
- September 2013: In July, Australian solar cooking enthusiasts in Brisbane, Queensland hosted Portuguese solar cooking authority Professor Celestino Ruivo. A winter solar cookout - possibly the biggest gathering of solar cooking ever in Australia - held at the home of Stan and Jane Cajdler, was attended by more than 70 enthusiasts with 25 solar cookers. Prof. Ruivo demonstrated his Celestino Solar Funnel Cooker.
Sizzling Solar Systems dehydrator
Heating the thermal mass (water bottles) to help provide stable nighttime temperatures, and avoid mold formation on the fruit.
- November 2012: Solar Food Dehydrator - Stan Cajdler of Brisbane, Australia has developed a solar food dehydrator, which significantly reduces the formation of mold spores caused by the nightly cooling of food. Typically, the drying process can last for several days for sucessful solar food drying. In this design several water containers (for thermal mass) are positioned in the lower chamber of the dehydrator. As the collector plate heats up, it heats up the surrounding air, which rises through the drying chamber. During the day, radiant heat from the collection plates also heats the water containers, which slowly release heat overnight. This overnight thermal air movement through the upper chamber dramatically reduces the formation of mold spores. For more information on Stan’s solar cooker designs check out: Sizzling Solar Systems
- November 2012: - Heather Stevens of Sun Cooking Australia writes that it’s a great time for Australian companies to invest in solar cooking. The Australian Government has three significant grants available for companies looking to develop or promote environmentally friendly products or services. The Clean Technology innovation program uses Australian Carbon Trading funds, which allow the federal Government to offer matching funding for the development of new environmentally friend products. Stevens said that, “the high upfront costs of commercialization can put off inventors but with these grants the burden is shared by the government”. Steven’s SunRocket portable solar kettle, a grant applicant, uses a Vycor vacuum tube boosted by highly reflective panels to heat water and cook food. It holds 500ml (17oz) and weighs 1kg (2.2lbs) when empty. Another funding opportunity for Australian solar cookers is the Export Market Developing Grant (EMDG), which provides matching funding for any export related costs, including inviting potential clients to Australia to showcase a company’s products.
- November 2012: “Anywhere under the Sun” is a recently released solar cooking eBook featuring recipes from around the world. Heather Stevens, Australian solar enthusiast and editor of the book invited solar chefs from around the world to submit their favorite recipe, photos and comments on solar cooking. The book is a visually stunning and comprehensive, with recipes from around the world.
- September 20, 2008: Alice Springs, located in central Australia, will host its second annual Solar Oven Bakeoff on September 20, 2008, as part of the Alice Desert Festival at the Olive Pink Botanic Garden. All are welcome to join in the fun and compete for the Green Spoon Trophy. Oven design and use of local bush foods are two of the award categories. Last year’s recipes included an Australian Quandong dish and a cacciatore. Respected food writer and cook Stephanie Alexander is among the judges. Alice Springs has on average 300 sunny days per year, and recently became one of five communities participating in the government’s Solar Cities program.
- August 23, 2008: Learn to make and cook in your own solar oven out of recycled and new materials, including bits from old solar hot water systems. http://ee4s-ca.blogspot.com/2008/07/making-solar-ovens-out-of-old-hot-water.html
History[]
- Main article: History of solar cooking
Archived articles
Climate and culture[]
The average Australian home produces 500 kilograms of greenhouse gases a year through cooking, says the federal environment department. That is less than lighting (750 kilograms), and heating and cooling (1.5 tonnes).
See also
- The climate of Australia - Wikipedia
- Australia Energy Situation - Energypedia
- Solar cooker dissemination and cultural variables.
Resources[]
Possible funding[]
Facebook groups[]
Blogs[]
Reports[]
Articles in the media[]
- December 2017: Solar-powered cooking to heat up no-waste festival - SBS
- December 2014: Cooking with the sun: beyond the eggs on the dashboard - ABC Goulburn Murray
- January 2014: LIVING GREEN: Cooking with sunshine - Newcastle Herald
- August 2013: Less is More: Baked in Sunshine - Newcastle Herald
- Earth Garden Spring 2011: Solar Cooking - A 4-page feature on solar cooking including recipes and design tips. Features the SunCook solar oven by Sun Cooking Australia
- August 2011. ReNew magazine, Issue 116 one of the most respected magazine on renewable energy (published by the Alternative Technology Association www.ata.org.au ) reviewed the SunRocket solar kettle
- March 2011: Cruising Helmsmen - Australia's largest yachting magazine had a detailed review of the SunCook solar oven and how well suited it is to the sailing life.
- Februray 2011: Warming to solar oven cooking . A great article on the SunCook solar oven in Newcastle, NSW
- February 28, 2010: Green approach attracts crowds to Corinbank. ABC Canberra, a video on the Corin Bank festival that features solar cooking
- June 2008: How should I cook? - The Sydney Morning Herald
Audio and video[]
- August 2024:
- December 2014: Interview with Stan Cajdler about his use of panel cookers and parabolic cookers - 612 ABC Brisbane
- August 2011:
- October 2010:
- April 2007:
Contacts[]
The entities listed below are either based in Australia, or have initiated solar cooking projects there:
SCI Associates[]
- Main article: Solar Cookers International Association