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Solar Cookers International
Written by: Lindsay Koser
Solar Cookers International (SCI) has made incredible strides in improving lives through solar cooking technology. Headquartered in Sacramento, California, this trailblazing nonprofit is on a mission to deliver clean, sustainable cooking solutions to the communities that need them most. The mission of Solar Cookers International is to improve human health, economic well-being, women’s empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide.
SCI’s innovative approach tackles a critical issue: the widespread dependence on firewood and charcoal for cooking. These traditional methods not only release dangerous levels of CO2 but also drive deforestation and air pollution, all while putting immense pressure on women and children to collect fuel. With solar thermal cooking, SCI offers a solution that’s as empowering as it is eco-friendly—harnessing the sun’s power to reduce carbon emissions and alleviate the daily hardships faced by millions.
SCI program participants enjoying solar-cooked meals at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.
Photo credit: SCI Collaborator Eco-Impact Hub CBO
A Success Story from Kakuma Refugee Camp
A shining success story comes from the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, where SCI’s solar cookers have empowered women to become solar cooking champions. To date, 400 locally built solar ovens have transformed the lives of 3,120 refugees, helping them lead healthier, safer lives. With the support of the Keeling Curve Prize and SCI donors, SCI has embedded best practices into its programs, with a focus on including women refugee leaders in training and follow-up stages. This participatory approach amplifies their voices and ensures that the initiative is shaped by the community, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and sustainability. For more details, visit SCI's Kakuma Refugee Camp initiative.
The Underappreciated Benefit of Solar Cooking
When asked about the most overlooked benefit of solar cooking, the SCI team highlighted a crucial point: solar cooking energy is entirely free. This concept can be challenging for newcomers to grasp, as they often compare the cost of solar cookers with that of conventional stoves without considering fuel expenses. This comparison is misleading, as cooking costs must account for both the stove and the ongoing fuel expenses. When fuel costs are factored in, the economic advantages of solar cooking—powered by free energy from the sun—become clear, offering substantial savings. These savings can unlock further benefits, such as improving public health, empowering women, and protecting the environment.
SCI program participants gather at the solar cookers distribution site at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.
Photo credit: SCI Collaborator Eco-Impact Hub CBO
SCI staff performs Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) tests to measure the efficiency of solar cookers.
Photo credit: SCI Program and Science Director Alan Bigelow, Ph.D.
Solar Cooking and CO2 Emissions
Solar cooking is a practical climate solution. By reducing reliance on firewood, charcoal, and other carbon-emitting fuels, solar cooking helps lower CO2 emissions. The widespread adoption of solar cooking has immense potential to cut emissions while offering financial benefits. Solar Cookers International has further researched this and developed country-specific economic impact summaries detailing the broader monetary and environmental benefits of scaling solar cooking. You can explore the Solar Cooking Economic Impact Summaries for more insight.
Impact of the Keeling Curve Prize
When SCI received the prestigious Keeling Curve Prize for their work, it was a powerful recognition of their impact in reducing CO2 emissions. “The Keeling Curve Prize was extraordinary and very suitable for what we do,” says Alan Bigelow, SCI's Program and Science Director. “It helped boost some of the program work that we do in Kenya.” Specifically, the prize enabled SCI to double its impact in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, where they have been working to introduce solar cookers. The significance of these cookers in the camp cannot be overstated, as they provide a clean cooking solution for families who otherwise have very limited access to cooking fuel.
The prize has done more than just amplify SCI’s reach. It has connected the organization to a broader network of climate innovators and added credibility to its mission.
Testimonial
Being introduced into this family of the Keeling Curve Prize Laureates has really been extraordinary to further the connections and add credibility to what we do.
— Alan Bigelow, SCI's Program and Science Director.
Photo by IISD/ENB - Diego Noguera
What’s Next for Solar Cookers International?
SCI has exciting developments on the horizon, including two new projects launched in collaboration with the United Nations Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN). These initiatives, focused on solar cooking, are taking place in two African countries with optimal solar technology conditions. Notably, these projects will include gender-based elements across all stages and focus on capacity building for national solar cooking programs in French-speaking regions where SCI has not previously operated.
Through their tireless efforts, Solar Cookers International is not only fighting climate change by reducing CO2 emissions but also improving the lives of those in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Their work exemplifies the intersection of environmental protection and human empowerment, showing that sometimes, the simplest solutions—like harnessing the sun—can have the greatest impact.
Solar cooked food at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.
Left to Right: stew, ades, cowpeas, greens, rice, and githeri (maize and beans).
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