Continuous research is required for improved models of solar cooker based on user needs. This should include various aspects such as cost-efficiency, performance, handling, etc. respecting cultural diversity and environmental aspects.
Various models must be developed and produced to meet the needs of different groups of users especially the rural women who are affected by fuel scarcity.
Focus on production technology to improve the product in terms of quality and price. Diversify the product so that the market can choose from a range of cookers, prices, quality and performance. Support development and insist on the application of standards. Centralise the production of important components but manufacture locally using local materials. Centralise designs and make available to all. Encourage competition between manufacturers.
Technology provides driers that give a certain production (quantity) at a certain quality at a certain cost. Each project has its own criteria for the selection of the most suitable technology. It results from a necessary compromise among cost and quality-quantity needed. For small production levels in rural areas in developing countries, solar drying is the only way to increase the quality of dried products. For larger production levels, solar solutions compete with conventional energy powered driers.
Continued support of renewable energy solutions at the highest levels remains vital. Such support includes strengthening North-South research collaboration, producing quality technically correct educational materials on solar cooking and making these available to science curricula. Funding should be provided for a solar cooking clearinghouse. This clearinghouse would reduce duplication of effort, facilitate mutual assistance and information exchange.
The World Solar Cooking and Food Processing Conference in Varese, Italy, October 1999, involved over 300 experts from 64 countries, including 6 ministers, producers, and representatives of International agencies. The conference called for: (a) cooker developers to identify and further develop the most promising solar cooker concepts; (b) manufacturers, particularly in the field of household appliances, to arrive at adapted, cost-efficient high-quality cookers for mass-production; (c) private sector companies, in the fields of commercial distribution and financing, to get these products out to the user and to provide user support; (d) NGOs to ensure non-commercial distribution modes for the most needy; (e) national governments to create a favourable political and fiscal environment and to provide initial financial support where necessary; and (f) international organisations to help spread these efforts towards all interested countries.
The World Bank, UN-System, National Governments, NGOs, Chambers and other institutions should provide funds for developers and promoters of Solar technology. Credit schemes and revolving funds should be part of these efforts.
High volumes of production will reduce manufacturing costs which will create a broader demand, all of which will reduce costs to end-users to the point where the low income groups can afford the cookers.
The following issues restrict the development of solar cooker design: 1. There is no central design pool and the wheel is re-invented continuously; 2. Materials are expensive and not easy to obtain; 3. Low cost products generally mean low-quality; 4. Heat Storage systems are too expensive; 5. Quality is important but price must be low; and 6. Solar cookers are add-on appliances (to other cookers).