Construção e análise de desempenho de um fogão solar com sistema de rastreamento solar

Abstract

Solar energy is a fundamental energy alternative for future generations, due to its clean, renewable, and almost inexhaustible characteristics. The solar cooker is a technology that harnesses solar energy for cooking food. Additionally, the use of solar cookers can contribute to improving the quality of life for low-income families who often lack access to conventional energy sources such as cooking gas. Solar cookers are affordable and low-cost technologies that can reduce energy expenses, improve family health by emitting no pollutants, and mitigate negative environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the equipment in cooking food using different operating configurations. The designed parabolic solar cooker had geometric parameters of a diameter of 1.3 m and a focal distance of 70.4 cm. The solar tracking system adopted an active approach, with one axis and four photoresistive sensors to determine the optimal position for capturing solar radiation. Tests were conducted with bi-focal and mono-focal configurations, as well as the application of theoretical methods to estimate efficiency using the tracking system. The results indicated that the mono-focal configuration achieved an efficiency of 72.3%, while the bi-focal configuration achieved an efficiency of 43%. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of solar cookers with solar tracking systems in food cooking. The use of clean and sustainable technologies, such as solar cookers, has the potential to improve quality of life, socio-environmental well-being, and contribute to the preservation of natural resources.