Researchers at NIT Calicut develop solar cooking stove

In a significant development, researchers at the National Institute of Technology Calicut have developed a solar stove in a bid to provide an alternative to LPG gas stoves amid soaring gas prices.

Kozhikode: In a significant development, researchers at the National Institute of Technology Calicut have developed a solar stove in a bid to provide an alternative to LPG gas stoves amid soaring gas prices.

Besides the running cost of the solar stove being low compared to the LPG stove, it is also easy to use, say the researchers of the electrical engineering department of NIT Calicut( NITC ) who developed it. The project to develop a solar stove was headed by Prof. S. Ashok who is the chairman of the center of innovation and entrepreneurship of NITC. The 'smart solar stove' has been tested in the industrial power research laboratories of the institution, they said.

To test the equipment in real settings, the solar stoves had been given for use to some houses and street vendors. The results show that it works efficiently in both settings, say the developers. They are confident that the 'smart solar stove' can be made available at affordable prices in the market.

The stove is suited for household use:The stove has been introduced in two models. First model, the single and double stove products can be used directly under the sun without any electric supply. It is well suited for domestic cooking. This model is well suited for those who are running roadside eateries as well.

Because the solar panels of this stove can be installed on the roof of the roadside establishments. The stove also has a built-in LED light, which can be very helpful to tourists who may go to places where electricity is not available. The overall cost for the single stove with the solar panel is around Rs 10,000 and for the double stove, the cost is around Rs 15,000.

In the second model, a battery can also be included with the control unit for extending the cooking time during non-sunlight hours. During the non-sunlight hours, even if the battery becomes empty, the product automatically switches over to a conventional power supply. The second model will cost a maximum of Rs 15,000 more based on the type of battery it is using.

No radiation:This stove causes less pollution, say the developers. It is smoke-free and does not emit Carbon Monoxide which is harmful to human health. By using this smart solar stove, an average size house can save Rs 12000 per annum.

The touchpad of this stove is akin to an induction cooker. But unlike an induction cooker, there is no radiation. Hence it is safe for the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

There are multiple safety arrangements in the design of this smart solar stove: fire safety, waterproof, and safety against electrical shock. The research for developing this solar stove has been funded by the Biotechnology Department of the central government. A lot of companies have approached the NITC for the technology used in the solar stove for producing the product on a commercial scale, say the developers.