NAME : TAFARA MATOPE
SCHOOL: NYANGA HIGH SCHOOL
CANDIDATE NUMBER: 3030
CENTER NUMBER: 020120
LEVEL: OLEVEL
SUBJECT: PHYSICS
TOPIC:INVESTIGATING EFFICIENCY OF SOLAR
COOKERS
Stage 1: PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
1.1 Problem Description
Solar cookers are devices that use sunlight to cook food, offering an alternative to firewood or
charcoal. In rural Zimbabwe, many families depend on firewood, contributing to deforestation
and health problems caused by smoke inhalation. Those affected include rural households,
school children, and entire communities without access to electricity or other clean energy
sources. Investigating the efficiency of solar cookers is important because it promotes clean
energy use, reduces deforestation, saves costs, and improves health standards.
1.2 Statement of Intent
The aim of this project was to determine the efficiency of solar cookers in converting sunlight
into heat for cooking and to suggest practical ways of improving their performance.
1.3 Design Specifications
The project had to be described in clear, scientific, and measurable terms.
The solar cooker had to be made using affordable, locally available materials.
The experiments needed to be simple and practical enough to be carried out at school
or at home.
Stage 2: INVESTIGATION OF RELATED IDEAS
2.1 Evidence of Related Ideas / Solutions
Box Solar Cooker
Advantages
Safe and easy to make,
can cook more than one item at a time.
Disadvantages:
Cooks slowly,
may not reach high temperatures unless insulation is improved.
Parabolic Solar Cooker
Advantages:
Reaches very high temperatures quickly,
cooks food fast.
Disadvantages:
Complicated to construct
requires frequent adjustments to follow the sun,
can be dangerous due to intense heat.
Panel Solar Cooker
Advantages:
Lightweight
affordable
portable
Disadvantages:
Produces moderate cooking temperatures,
has limited cooking capacity.
Stage 3: GENERATION OF IDEAS
Modified / New Solutions
1. Testing Box Solar Cooker Efficiency – measuring temperature rise over time.
Advantages:
o Simple
o safe
o measurable.
Disadvantages:
o Cooking is slow
odepends on weather.
2. Comparing Cooking Times with Conventional Stove
Advantages:
o Practical
o easy to observe.
Disadvantages:
o Requires careful timing;
o dependent on sunlight.
3. Improving Insulation – adding reflective foil or a transparent cover to trap heat.
Advantages:
o Increases cooking temperature
o efficiency at low cost.
Disadvantages
o Slightly more complex construction
o requires extra materials.
Stage 4: DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS
4.1 Chosen Solution
Testing the efficiency of a Box Solar Cooker with added insulation.
4.2 Justification of Choice
This method was selected because it was safe, affordable, and allowed accurate measurement
of efficiency using temperature changes. Improved insulation enhanced the cooker’s
performance.
4.3 Materials / Tools Needed
Cardboard box
Aluminum foil or reflective sheet
Transparent plastic or glass cover
Cooking pot
Thermometer
Stopwatch
Water or food sample for testing
4.4 Refinements / Developments
1. The box was lined with aluminum foil to reflect more sunlight.
2. A transparent cover was added to trap heat inside.
3. Temperature measurements were taken at intervals, and the time to boil water or heat
food was recorded.
Stage 5: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
I constructed the box solar cooker using cardboard, aluminum foil, and a transparent plastic
sheet. I placed a pot of water inside the cooker and measured the temperature using a
thermometer at regular intervals over a two-hour period.
The results showed that the water temperature increased steadily as the solar cooker absorbed
sunlight. During clear, sunny periods, the cooker reached higher temperatures, while cloudy
periods slowed down the heating process. The added insulation improved the efficiency of the
cooker, allowing it to retain heat better and achieve a higher final temperature compared to an
unmodified box.
I recorded the findings using graphs showing the rise in temperature over time. Photographs of
the solar cooker in use were taken to document the setup, thermometer readings, and the
heating process. These results confirmed that the solar cooker was effective for cooking under
suitable weather conditions.
DIY Solar Oven Setup
Solar Cooker with Reflective Insulation
Solar Oven Cooking Process
Temperature Measurement in Solar Cooker
Stage 6: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION
6.1 Relevance of Statement of Intent
The project successfully investigated and measured the efficiency of a Box Solar Cooker and
demonstrated that improving insulation increased its performance.
6.2 Challenges Encountered
Weather variations affected sunlight intensity and influenced the heating rate.
Maintaining the transparent cover in the correct position to prevent heat loss was
sometimes difficult.
6.3 Recommendations
Experiments should be carried out on clear, sunny days for more reliable results.
Stronger materials and better sealing should be used to improve insulation and ensure
durability.
Further studies could include comparing different types of solar cookers under the same
conditions.