Experimental study of the influence of wing reflectors on solar hot box cooker performance

Cooking consumes a significant amount of energy globally, necessitating exploring sustainable alternatives. Solar energy presents an adaptable and freely available resource, offering opportunities for various applications, including solar cooking. This experimental study aims to assess the influence of wing reflectors on the performance of solar box cookers under weather conditions in the arid region of Ouargla, Algeria. Outdoor cooking tests were conducted using different reflector configurations, focusing on temperature levels and energy efficiency. The results reveal that cookers equipped with wing reflectors, particularly those with five-side reflectors, achieve significantly higher temperatures and improved efficiency than those without reflectors. Notably, the configuration featuring three reflectors and two wing reflectors exhibited the highest ratio of 0.105 m² °C/W at 03:45 PM. These findings highlight the potential of wing reflectors in enhancing solar cooking applications in arid climates. The study contributes to understanding solar cooker performance optimization and provides insights into designing efficient solar cooking systems in energy-constrained regions.