Design and experimentation of an innovative photovoltaic solar cooker with battery storage: A sustainable solution for Africa's future

Abstract

In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and experimental results of an innovative, autonomous, and flexible solar cooker integrated with battery storage. This cooker powers two heating elements: the first via 600 Wp photovoltaic panels, and the second via batteries (48 V; 250 Ah), charged by other photovoltaic panels of the same power rating, through a power block (Block 1) and an electronic system (Block 2). The cooker is powered by a total power of 1000 to 1200 W, distributed as follows: 400 to 600 W supplied directly by the photovoltaic panels during daylight, and 200 to 500 W provided by the batteries. Experiments conducted over the course of one year show that the temperature of one heating element reaches 400 °C in 2–4 min of heating by the photovoltaic panels, depending on sunlight, between 10 am and 3 pm. The second heating element reaches 350 °C in 2–5 min when powered by the batteries. The analysis of the results highlights, on one hand, the proper functioning of Blocks 1 and 2, with an efficiency exceeding 90 %, and on the other hand, the effectiveness of Block 1, which optimizes the power supplied by the photovoltaic panels using a "Perturb and Observe" MPPT algorithm. Moreover, this cooker produces 2.5 to 3 kWh of energy over a 5-hour period from the photovoltaic panels, and 2.5 kWh from the batteries during the same period. These performances are more than sufficient to meet the cooking needs of households in both rural and urban areas. Additionally, experimental results show that it is possible to heat 1 L of water to boiling (100 °C) in 10–15 min using either the photovoltaic panels or the batteries. All the results confirm the proper functioning of the solar cooker's Blocks 1 and 2, which efficiently adapt to users' needs (day and night), thus validating the practical feasibility of the cooker. All the results confirm the proper functioning of the solar cooker's Blocks 1 and 2, which efficiently adapt to users' needs (day and night), thus validating the practical feasibility of the cooker. Compared to existing solutions in the literature, these results demonstrate remarkable performance, particularly in the efficient use of energy produced by PV panels and batteries, making this system suitable for both grid-connected and off-grid households.