How to Make Off-Grid Solar Electric Cooking Cheaper Than Wood-Based Cooking

Low-income sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) households rely on wood for cooking the simple reason that it is lowest cost fuel. Thus, full attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) requires developing clean technologies are cheaper than cooking. This study provides a comparative marginal levelized energy (MLCOE) analysis vs. innovative solar electric technologies. The two key off-grid evaluated are: (1) direct-use DC (DDS) electricity applications, and (2) high-cycle-life lithium titanate (LTO) batteries. MLCOE reported in USD/kWh delivered to cooked food. A low median USD 0.125/kWh attained using DDS which output directly by panel with little or no intervening storage few conversion control costs. has variable voltage current managed specialized cooker. LTO battery-regulated 0.24/kWh declines 0.16/kWh pressure cooker use. distributions wood-based, DDS-electric, LTO-electric strongly overlap. model suggests specific means modifying input costs, component lifetime, system efficiency improve further relative MLCOE.