SolarBora solar powered personal microgrid for cooking
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Solar Bora AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 300 000 |
| Project duration | March 2017 - August 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Innovative Startups |
Purpose and goal
In the project technology and business model for cooking using solar energy was developed and tested. A prototype solar energy solution for rural areas was developed and tested in real conditions in a West African country (Mali). Ultimately, the aim is to launch a product that enables cooking for three households who together own a solar energy system. The goal of this phase was to develop non-industrialized prototypes of both hardware and software and perform field testing to get proof of concept. Field test was carried out with very successful results.
Expected results and effects
The long-term goal is that the over 600 million people south of the Sahara that currently use firewood and charcoal for their cooking should switch to cooking on an induction stove powered by solar electricity. The project addresses the following of the UN´s sustainability goals: Objective 7.1: Provide access to affordable "real" 230V electricity to Sub Saharan families without grid connection. Objective 13.3: Families will use the product to mitigate climate change by switching from woodfired cooking (leading to deforestation) to cooking on solar-powered induction cookers.
Planned approach and implementation
The project was divided in three parts. Preliminary system design: System design was defined, battery solution was investigated, business model and the legal aspects of small-scale electricity sales was investigated. Prototyping: All parts of the hardware system was developed to a prototype level enough to carry out field tests. Field trial involving users to test the developed prototype was performed. Major part of the functions were tested. The test families were happy and Solar Bora got input to further necessary development.