Sunok

what about those most in need?

We believe that solar cooking should be the default method of cooking in the most deprived and sunny regions of our planet. We aspire to conceive of a solar cooker that combines attractiveness and affordability for those that will benefit the most. Our commitment is to invest the profits earned in rich countries to attend to the needs of populations facing energy shortages and desertification.

The issue

It is well-known that developing countries face a myriad of devastating problems. Solar cooking can help solve many of those. Some of the serious challenges affecting these countries around the world (forced migrations, deforestation, health problems due to indoor pollution) are linked to the lack of harmless cooking fuel. But unfortunately solar cooking is rarely used despite the fact that many of those regions enjoy abundant sunshine.

Our solution

The challenge today is to make solar cooking the main method to prepare meals in less fortunate countries and regions, enhancing the well being of its population and helping the environment globally. Suntaste is ideally positioned to help make the switch as it can be used almost everywhere. Its well built and advanced optics make it easy and practical to use.

Equality and Education

FACT: “… gender equity in education cannot be achieved as long as girls are withdrawn from school to collect ever-scarcer fuels for family subsistence.” (Mark Malloch Brown, UNDP Administrator)

Our solution

  • You do not need to waste precious time to collect wood as the Suntaste doesn’t need fuel.
  • As the cooker works by itself without human intervention or supervision, adults and children can perform other activities.
  • The Suntaste can also serve to generate income as it is very easy to operate (older people can use it effortlessly) and it uses only free energy provided by the sun.

Health

FACT: “Globally, 4.3 million deaths were attributable to household air pollution in 2012.” (WHO – World Health Organization)

Our solution

  • Illnesses due to indoor smoke while cooking can be reduced to nil.
  • Unsafe water is avoided as the cooker can be used to pasteurize it. (1.5l in 45 min with 28ºC / 82ºF external temperature).
  • The medical professions can use water boiled in the Suntaste to sterilize surgical instruments.
  • Additionally, the dishes elaborated with less water and at lower heat render everything more nutritious (and tastier).

Economy

FACT: In 2010, a pilot project funded and managed by EDP, a Portuguese electrical utility, distributed a number of Sun Cooks to restaurants in the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya. This project was supervised by the UNHCR and monitored by the NCCK – National Council of Churches from Kenya.

Our solution

  • Overcoming cultural barriers Once people started to use the Sun Cook every day, reluctance in cooking with a solar cooker due to cultural factors, started to vanish. 
  • One year is enough to recover the cost When populations start cooking with the Sun Cook on a daily basis, the savings generated far exceed the expense, several early results show.

Desertification

FACT: “Drought and desertification threaten the livelihood of over 1 billion people in more than 110 countries around the world.“ (Kofi Annan)

Our solution

  • As solar cookers can be used 3 days out of 4, wood consumption for cooking can be reduced by more than 75%.
  • If wood is no longer needed to cook, some deforestation slows down.
  • Similarly, there is less soot and pollutant agents thus reducing the amount of CO2 emissions.
  • The Suntaste cannot be the cause of fires, unlike parabolic concentrator solar cookers, due to its flat external mirrors.

Sustainable Development

VISION: “A world, where the communities currently without reliable energy supply can rely on renewable energy as the base for their economic and social development” (IRENA Vision)

Our solution

  • Regularly using solar cookers helps communities increase their awareness of good environmental practices and sustainability.
  • As the oven can cook almost any dish, it is suitable to be used by a large number of populations in subtropical regions.
  • The easy use of the Suntaste makes it an ideal tool to run a small business selling all kinds of snacks and prepared food at marketplaces.