Challenge
Over 3 billion people globally are cooking with biomass or inefficient cooking stoves that release toxic air, resulting in 4 million premature deaths annually. Logging for charcoal is a major contributor to deforestation. In areas where firewood is scarce, conflicts arise over limited resources, and children spend up to 5 hours a day collecting firewood, often missing school. Women and girls face risks of robbery, rape, and even death during these journeys.
Description
Heliac Solar Cooker is a 100% clean cooking solution that is as easy to use as conventional stoves. It produces up to 1 kW for cooking, serving any dish that can be made with gas or electric stoves using free solar energy. Once installed, it eliminates the need for fuel, saving time and money for women and children who no longer need to collect firewood or fetch fuel cylinders and pellets. The cooker is suitable for remote areas and refugee camps where firewood scarcity is a significant issue.
Outcomes
The project successfully completed user trials in India and three African countries, including testing in the Kakuma Refugee Camp. Based on user feedback, improvements were made to cater to user needs. The project is now developing a business model and a partnership to scale the solution.
