Module B1 Session 8
Session 8: Renewable energy: Solar energy for
cooking
Summary
This session introduces the concept of Solar Energy and Solar Cooking. There are videos
showing how it is already being used and its potential. The last session introduced the use
of climatic data, such as rainfall, in solving agricultural problems. This session explores
another way that climatic data can be useful. Sunshine data is used to explore the potential
of solar cooking in a particular area and thus alleviate problems of energy, poverty and
pollution.
Learning objectives
At the end of this session students will be able to:
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Explain the potential importance of solar energy in Africa
Explain the potential importance of solar cooking
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Describe a case study of solar cooking
Identify aspects of the adoption of solar cooking where statistical skills are useful
Explain whether aspects of solar cooking are useful locally
Resources
Case study: Solar energy
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Christian Aid UK video on the use of solar energy
Interview and video with Margaret Owino about solar power
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Solar cooking in Chad (PDF)
Dissemination of solar cooking in Kenya (PDF)
Website: http://solarcookers.org/
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Information from solar-cookers international website
Dataset
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Gaborone sunshine data
SADC Course in Statistics
Module B1 Session 8 – Page 1
Module B1 Session 8
Related sessions
Session 7 introduces the idea of climate change and the use of climatic data in statistics.
The sunshine data is used in the risk sessions in I3, analysis session in B2.
Practicals
Practical 1: Solar cooking in video
Activity 1-2: Watch a few videos on solar cooking and discuss them as a class
Practical 2: Discover solar cooking
Activity 3-4: Learn about solar cooking for yourselves and then instruct your class mates.
Activities
Activity 1
Watch the video titled “Power to the people”. They are produced by Christian Aid and
show how solar power can be, and is being used in Malawi.
Discuss as a class how these initiatives could apply equally, or are different in your country.
Activity 2
Watch the interview with Margaret Owino about the use of solar cookers in Kenya and the
short film on Sun Cookers, then briefly discuss as a class.
Activity 3
Within groups of four, pairs will learn about either solar cooking in Chad or solar cooking
in Kenya and then instruct the rest of your group on what you learnt.
Then make notes, as a group, on the potential, or otherwise of the Cookit solar cooker in
their country, or part of the country.
SADC Course in Statistics
Module B1 Session 8 – Page 2
Module B1 Session 8
Activity 4
Watch a PowerPoint presentation on solar energy in general and solar cooking in particular.
This is followed by a class discussion about the potential for solar cooking in the country.
SADC Course in Statistics
Module B1 Session 8 – Page 3