Solar cooker acceptance in South Africa: Results of a comparative field-test

A one-year comparative field-test of 7 different types of solar cookers, in volving 66 families in 3 study areas in South Africa, has been conducted by the South African Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). Overall, families use so lar cookers on 38% of all days and for 35% of all cooked meals; they expres s clear preferences for certain cooker types. Solar cookers, together with wood (stoves and open fires; use on 42% of all days), are the cooking appli ances most used. Fuel consumption measurements show overall fuel savings of 38%, resulting in estimated pay-back periods (through monetary fuel saving s) from 8 month onwards, depending on the type and region. Economic analysi s, acquisition of test cookers by users after the placement period as well as an independent market study, have led to a second programme phase of com mercial pilot dissemination of locally produced cookers, adapted according to field-test experiences. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.