Sun Food - How We Get Energy from the Sun to Cook Food and Run Appliances

Solar power is the process of taking energy that is radiated by the sun, captured by specialized devices and transformed into usable energy. This energy can be derived from the light or heat of the sun, or from both. While solar power is not quite as productive when compared to other forms of energy, such as oil or natural gas, it does have the added benefits of being environmentally safe, free to acquire, transportable and applicable to almost anything requiring power.

However, solar power is limited to the access to the sun and can be intermittent or even non-existent in supply when the sun's light and heat are not available, such as during the night or when the sun is hidden behind the clouds.

There are ways to capture the sun's power and store it, such as in a battery-type unit called a solar cell. However, there is only so much solar energy that can be stored and, depending on what it is being used for, the battery that is holding all the stored energy can become quickly drained. Unless there are alternative methods of energy production available, this storage issue could leave a household or other structure without the energy necessary to function in the event of a prolonged storm or darkness. However, solar power is quickly gaining popularity and methods of capturing and inverting the sun's power are becoming more and more sophisticated.

One of the oldest ways that the sun's power has been used is for cooking food. Currently, there are devices, such as the solar stove, or cooking box, that use the sun's heat and light to prepare food. It is also possible to make a solar cooking box by hand using simple materials such as heat-conductive metals and glass.

Modern technologies and innovations now provide materials with insulation properties that are used in modern solar cooking; however, this was not always the case. Even simpler materials, such as a stone left in the hot sun, has given people a way to cook foods, boil water and dry meats and other food items.

Solar cooking on a stove captures the light and heat from the sun. Due to its limited energy output, solar power will not usually allow for certain types of foods to reach the types of temperatures they should be cooked at in order to be considered safe and free from any harmful bacteria. However, despite the relatively low temperatures (around 250^o to 300^o), it is possible to cook food for a longer amount of time in order to reach the appropriate temperatures.

If time is not of the essence, solar powered cooking can be a great way to save energy during the months when the sun in at its peak. This kind of cooking method would be especially helpful for eating and cooking while participating in activities that take occur in remote locations, such as those locations accessible by camping or hiking. For centuries, the sun has been used to dry fruits, such as raisins and to bake bread on stones warmed by the sun; if it's a good enough resource for our ancestors, it's likely a good enough resource for us.

Some people even believe that eating stone-baked bread is more desirable than purchasing it in the store or even cooking it in a conventional oven. One benefit of the solar powered oven is that it will not emanate heat to the surround areas, such as a kitchen, which would increase already warm kitchen temperatures.

Sources:

http://www.azsolarcenter.com/tech.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/solar-power/