Q: Do you think solar cooking could be the solution to providing free energy to the poorer third worlds? Why isn't this simple technology more abundant. The Governments of the world tell us they dealing with debt. So why aren't they encouraging free and alternative energy technologies such as solar cooking, Stirling engines, Joe Cell device, etc. I could go on.
A: The question is a good one but the answer is quite complex. Although these alternate technologies are being introduced and used around the world, the uptake rate is low. Some of the reasons for that are: The first is to do with education. People around the world are resistant to new ideas and to change, especially if it is cultural/traditional (e.g. "this was good enough for my mother/father"). It is particularly difficult to spread knowledge when there are billions who need it, illiteracy is common, radio & TV rare and the number of languages huge... but people are trying! The second is financial. Large donors (incl. governments) like to support large projects (e.g. dams, ARVs for AIDS) - these technologies are very small. However, to the recipients, even the cost of a solar oven (a curved piece of metal) can be very high. Thirdly, security. The most vulnerable and the poorest of people often live in areas of high insecurity - any possession is liable to be stolen, washed away in a flood or left behind when fleeing danger. Fourth, suitability. No technology is suitable in all areas. For example, most of Africa is quite cool and cloudy for large parts of the year making solar cooking impractical. There are numerous examples of aid and technology being provided by the outside world (often 'the West') that proves to be totally inappropriate for the circumstances. Understanding and managing cultural as well as technological suitability takes a long time and there aren't that many people willing to spend significant parts of their lives in these places to do a proper job.