Measurement Procedures
Testing and Reporting Solar Cooker Performance
This is a standard protocol for measuring solar cooker power, developed by Dr. Paul Funk. It is referenced in ISO-19867-1, “Clean cookstoves and clean cooking solutions – Harmonized laboratory test protocols – Part 1: Standard test sequence for emissions and performance, safety and durability”. The ASAE S.580.1 standard is now open source, so it is included here for convenience. Some of the following technical reports reference this protocol.
TR-10
A Procedure for determination of the intercept area of a solar cooker
Solar cooker power measurement protocols, such as the ASAE S.580.1 standard, require a load that depends on the reflector area (in this case, 7 liters of water per square meter of reflector area). Therefore (although unstated) the first step in the protocol is to measure this area, in order to calculate the required load. The following steps are suggested to obtain this measurement.
TR-15
Recommended manufacturer’s information to accompany a cookstove
This list of items is not a requirement of an ISO standard, but documentation of this information and packing it with the unit will be very helpful to all users. Some of the information is required in order for testing centers to conduct ISO-19867 standard tests on the product, so its inclusion will facilitate testing. Please refer to ISO/IEC Guide 37:2012 for additional guidance in writing instructions for consumers.
TR-16.2
Instructions for conducting solar cooker power tests using commercial instruments
Provides instructions for use in measuring the power of solar cookers in accordance with the ASAE S.580.1 protocol, which is a standard referenced in the ISO-19867-1 standard for cookstove power measurements. This procedure uses off-the-shelf instrumentation that is described in TR-09.
TR-17
A low-cost method for measuring solar irradiance using a lux meter
This report considers the question whether it is feasible to measure solar irradiance (for solar cooker performance measurements) with a low-cost commercial lux meter, rather than a more expensive pyranometer. The conclusion, based on numerous physical measurements with both instruments, is that it is feasible provided proper calibrations and procedures are followed.
TR-27a
Procedure for determining the directivity of a solar cooker
One of the goals of solar cooker performance standardization is to provide measurement methods that are independent of location on the earth. This will provide reproducibility of results for the power and efficiency of a solar cooker as measured by any testing facility. This report describes a simple procedure for measuring the angle-dependence (directivity) of a solar cooker to direct radiation using a reciprocity technique.
TR-32
Test Procedure for Cooking Pot Heat Loss Measurement
This report describes a procedure to measure heat loss from cooking vessels or retained heat baskets or similar items intended for cooking or storing hot foods or liquids. This information can be useful to determine the effectiveness of lid gaskets on cooking pots, or the quality of insulation in retained heat containers.
Training Video and Documentation
Training Video – Steps for Standard Solar Cooker Data Collection and Processing
In this 20-minute video, Paul Arveson shows the steps involved in conducting a solar cooker power measurement in accordance with the international standard ISO-19867-1. This protocol is intended to be used with the instrumentation as documented in Technical Report TR-09.1 on this website. Supplementary documentation package to provide a complete set of materials needed for the data collection and processing.
Taste test protocol
Taste test design
SHE Research Director Paul Arveson has created a draft protocol to scientifically test this claim. It outlines a method for conducting a randomized, double-blind taste test using two common foods: a chicken stew and a cake (if in a vegetarian culture, a vegetable stew may be substituted).
