Approximately 2.4 billion people rely on solid fuels for cooking, which causes health issues due to inhaling smoke and soot. In contrast, solar cooking offers clean air and environmental benefits. This thesis evaluates the performance of solar cookers from the VLIR-UOS-funded Solar Cooker for All project in DRC. By analyzing both locally made prototypes and commercial cookers, the study applies linear regression and Cox regression methods to assess how environmental factors and experimental conditions affect performance. Results show the Yamo Dudo commercial cooker outperformed others, and combining parabolic and oven prototypes could enhance performance.

This master’s project focuses on promoting solar cookers as sustainable alternatives to traditional cooking methods. Solar cookers use renewable energy, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources like firewood and charcoal, which helps mitigate climate change, deforestation, and soil degradation. They also improve health by reducing indoor air pollution, particularly benefiting women and children. The work, conducted under the Sc4all project, contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including fighting poverty, promoting good health, gender equality, and climate action.

A key innovation in this thesis is the creative use of advanced statistical methods for evaluating solar cookers’ performance. The work applied survival analysis and extended linear regression techniques to better understand how various environmental factors impact cooker efficiency. This approach allows for a deeper, data-driven evaluation that goes beyond traditional methods, offering valuable insights into performance. These methods also help optimize solar cooker designs for resource-limited settings and ensure that the devices are both effective and adaptable.

Community engagement was a key aspect, with workshops held in Lubumbashi to educate locals about solar cooking. The project has had a significant impact on both the local community and the environment, helping address deforestation issues and offering an affordable cooking solution. Knowledge transfer through workshops further supports the sustainable adoption of solar cookers in resource-limited settings.

By combining statistical innovation with community-driven solutions, the project promotes clean energy, improves health, and supports environmental conservation, and therefore contributes to sustainability.