status of solar thermal in nepal , p

STATUS OF SOLAR THERMAL IN NEPAL
ITS PROMOTION ACTIVITIES, PROBLEMS & IMPACTS
RAJEEV MUNANKAMI (MR.)
Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N), P.O.Box: 3628, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel: 977-1-260165, 256819. Fax: 977-1-257922.
Abstract - A majority of the population in Nepal depends heavily on fuelwood as major source of cooking, drying and
heating. The consequences include a growing burden on family budgets, more time for collection of fuelwood and partly
irreversible damage to the local environment. These effects will continue to hit the rural and semi-urban poor,
particularly women, hardest. In this situation, a viable alternative to replace or complement fuelwood use has become
more and more essential.
This paper highlights the state-of-art in the local production, promotion and dissemination of solar thermals (especially
cookers, food dryers and water heaters) as Renewable Energy Technologies initiated by various Government
Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, Private Sector and Manufacturing Agencies in Nepal. The paper examines
the technical and economic parameters, which have influenced the adoption of these technologies. The solar thermal
activities in domestic, commercial, tourism, education and health sector are briefly mentioned. The paper also presents in
brief, the solar thermal program of the Center for Rural Technology, Nepal and its efforts for widespread dissemination of
these thermal energy technologies, such as solar cooker, solar dryers and solar heaters.
The government of Nepal has accorded high priority to the development of renewable energy sector in general, solar
energy in particular, in its Ninth Five Year Development Plan (1997-2002). The objectives of this plan are to provide to
energy needs of the rural/urban populations and reduce dependency on traditional sources of energy such as fuelwood and
commercial energy like fossil fuel.
Various solar thermal programs have not only introduced the solar thermal devices but also has intensified mass
awareness campaign, by number of demonstrations, advertisements, training and workshops, which has greatly enhanced
its demands. The paper also reflects the issues, its success, problems, impacts and its future potentials. Furthermore, recent
policy support and incentives provided by the government to promote the application of solar thermals are also mentioned.
Focus has to be given in research, education, training, production and marketing and its wide spread promotion and
utilization. Given the above developments, suggestions for future solar thermal programs in Nepal are highlighted.
(Key words: Nepal, Solar Promotion, Cookers, Food dryers, Water heaters ).
1. Country Background
The striking beauty of Nepal's landscape stands in stark
contrast with the country's wide spread poverty. Nepal
remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with
more than 9 million people living below the international
poverty line. While improvements have been made in
infrastructure development and provision of government
services, a higher rate of economic growth is needed to
make tangible progress in reducing poverty.
Nepal had a late start in economic development
compared with the rest of South Asia. The government
did not create a system of modern infrastructure and
administration until the 1950s. Since then, however,
Nepal has seen a number of positive results: school
enrollment ratios have improved, with nearly all boys and
about 88 percent of girls enrolling in primary school;
irrigation coverage has reached 25 percent of cultivated
land; road networks have increased from 124 kilometers
in 1956 to 15,000 kilometers today; and the number of
households served by electricity has increased from less
than 1 percent in 1956 to 15 percent today.
Despite these advances, Nepal's social indicators remain
well below the average for the South Asia region. Life
expectancy at birth is 55 years (compared to 63 in India
and Pakistan and 73 years in Sri Lanka), and infant
mortality is 91 per 1,000 live births, the highest in the
region. 73 percent of the population is illiterate. Health
and education indicators for women are particularly
discouraging: life expectancy for women is lower than for
men because maternal mortality is high; and 86 percent of
Nepal's women is illiterate.
The pressure of population growth on scarce and fragile
land means that the benefits of better education or
irrigation are often outweighed by more fragmented land
and reduced availability of forest products upon which
most of the rural population depends for all or part of its
livelihood. Nepal's population of 21.5 million is growing
at 2.5 percent per year, and the ratio of population to

arable land (around 600 persons per square kilometer) is
one of the highest in the world. Of the 90 percent Nepal's
population living in rural areas, less than half has access
to safe water, and less than 6 percent has access to
sanitation. (source: World Bank document: np-countrybrief, 1998)
2. Overview of Energy Scenario
Energy problems of Nepal hardly differ from the ones
encountered in other developing countries. Energy
sources in Nepal can be broadly classified into three
groups: traditional (biomass), commercial and alternative
energy. Nepal's rural populations have been meeting their
energy needs from traditional sources as fuelwood and
other biomass resources. The use of modern forms of
energy- electricity, kerosene and diesel – is comparatively
new, and in many rural areas they have yet to be
introduced.
Two major characteristics of energy systems in Nepal
are excessive dependence on biomass energy and low
efficiency in its use. An excessive dependence on
biomass energy involves a trade-off in agricultural
productivity, the crop residues and animal wastes being
diverted from farms, where they supplement soil
nutrition, to stoves and hearths to provide heat energy
needs. Diverse energy consumption patterns, due to
different geographic, cultural and economic settings and a
very low level of energy consumption, as a result of
widespread poverty, are some of the other important
characteristics. Other aspects that have direct and/or
indirect implications on the economic and financial
viability of energy systems are people's inability to afford
commercial forms of energy and a lack of resources for
proper development (Amatya & Shrestha 1998).
Nepal's per capita annual energy consumption, 0.3 toe
(14.06 GJ), is one of the lowest in the world. Per capita
commercial energy consumption, 30kg of oil equivalent,
is also very low compared to other countries of the sub
region. However, the growth of commercial energy
consumption has been high, about 8.4 percent per annum.
The electricity supply is limited to about 14 percent of the
total population. The rural population, which makes up
about 90 percent of the total, has very limited access to
electricity (Amatya 1997). The rural residential sector
alone consumes about 84 percent of the total energy.
However, if only commercial energy (including new and
renewable energy) is considered, then this figure falls to
only 45 percent (WECS 1997).
In spite of large theoretical hydropower potential of
83,000MW, of which 42,000MW is established to be
technically feasible, Nepal has developed only 250MW of
hydropower, which supplies about 1 percent of the total
energy requirements (WECS 1994). Fuelwood accounts
for 80 percent of energy consumption, and it is mainly
consumed in rural Nepal (Amatya and Kharel 1997).
Public, community, private forests and private land are
the major sources of fuelwood. These resources are
depleting rapidly as a result of overexploitation and lack
of adequate management. Other biomass sourcesagricultural
residue and animal waste provide for about
10 percent of the energy requirement. Imported petroleum
and coal together make up about 8 percent of the total
consumption (Amatya and Shrestha 1998).
Given the above scenario efforts have been made in
recent years both by the government and private sector to
harness solar technology to reduce dependency on
traditional sources of energy such as fuelwood and
biomass resources to meet rural energy needs.
3. Solar Energy Scene
Nepal has a high potential for harnessing solar energy.
As per an estimate by WECS (1995), 78 percent lies in
high potential solar insolation areas. The average
insolation is around 4.5 kWh/m 2 /day and the sunshine for
about 300 days per year are sufficient for most smallscale
application. The monthly daily global solar
radiation varies from 120 to 260 w/m 2 with the annual
sun shine duration ranging from 1900 to 2500 hours
(Rijal, 1984).
Location
Elevation in
Solar Radiation in Different Parts of Nepal
Month
meters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Mahendra Nagar 176 320 395 475 530 529 435 392 390 392 378 346 304 6.64
Surkhet 720 309 390 457 551 566 429 407 390 390 394 348 308 6.72
Jumla 2300 293 359 428 515 545 522 413 395 410 378 339 295 6.65
Lumle 1642 316 384 454 488 424 343 317 300 341 360 337 298 5.92
Pokhara 627 305 373 437 478 429 375 359 335 350 357 338 299 6.03
Bhairahawa 120 353 429 510 578 586 454 443 416 384 408 379 337 7.18
Kathmandu 1367 319 336 445 494 487 379 343 331 370 376 347 310 6.23
Okhaldhunga 1720 316 391 433 460 413 347 364 326 334 358 355 315 6.00
Biratnagar 72 344 412 489 535 523 437 400 397 382 398 369 329 6.82
Dharan 444 345 410 479 525 502 416 395 371 349 370 364 327 6.59
(Source: Agro-Climatic Data, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy)
Yearly
Average
in kwh/m 2 /day

4. Solar Thermal Activities in Nepal
4.1 Solar Cooker
Historical Background
Development of solar cooker in Nepal started in 1977
with the introduction of parabolic cooker by Research
Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST).
Later various types of solar cookers have been developed
and disseminated by RECAST, Centre for Rural
Technology Nepal (CRT/N) and few individuals.
Current Status
CRT/N has promoted about 2000 units of solar box
cooker and about 150 solar parabolic cooker (SK-14).
These cookers are used for boiling water and cooking
daily foods. Solar cookers should be taken as a secondary
means of cooking due to uncertainty of good sunshine
hours.
Resources are being depleted rapidly by the growth of
tourism on trekking routes. To solve this situation solar
lightweight portable trekkers' cookers have been
developed. (FAST, 1999)
System being used in Nepal
Solar cookers being used is parabolic type (German
design) and different Box type. Fabrication of all these
are done locally only the reflector sheet of SK-14 is being
imported from Germany.
Institutional Status
• No specific policy/program of HMG of Nepal has
been formulated for promotion of solar cooker.
• Few NGOs [Alternative Energy Promotion Center
(AEPC) prequalified organizations], especially
CRT/N have been disseminating this technology with
limited success. But recently demands for solar
cookers are increasing nicely.
Financial Mechanism
Starting with the fiscal year 1998, AEPC is providing 50
percent government subsidy for the solar cookers.
training and development of solar cooker. CRT/N is
arranging training programs from with support from
various donor agencies.
Barrier in Promotion and Development
The main barriers for promotion and commercialization
of solar cookers are as follows:
• Adherence of traditional cultural an eating habits.
• Uncertainty of good sunshine hours in a day at the
required time.
• Lack of awareness and knowledge about the benefits
of solar cookers.
• Superstition of cooking in the open where 'evil eye'
can fall while cooking makes people difficult to
accept solar cookers for certain caste of people.
Future Strategy
• R&D works should be carried out to develop a solar
cooker, which is technically mature, cost-efficient
and durable.
• A long-term awareness and dissemination program
should be launched to popularize solar cookers.
• Hotels, restaurants and guest houses should be
encouraged to use solar cookers to preheat water, to
pasteurize water and to prepare special solar cooked
dishes.
• Proper mass awareness and dissemination program
should be launched on a long-term basis regarding
the use, maintenance and benefits of solar cooking
technology.
• HMG of Nepal should morally and financially
support institutions working on the promotion and
development of solar cooking technology.
• Education at appropriate levels should be given about
solar cooking technologies in the secondary and
tertiary levels of education.
• Vocational training schools should be encouraged to
impart fabricating and installing skills related to solar
cookers
• Follow up, monitoring and market studies should be
regularly undertaken to obtain the expectations,
opinions and suggestions of users.
Human Resource Development
No government or formal institution exists for the
His Majesty's Government of Nepal
Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002)
Development of Alternative Energy Goal
Solar Energy
Activities
Unit
Five Year Plan
97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02
Solar Dryer Installation (3 sq. m) Numbers 30 60 60 60 90 300
Solar Energy Data
Collection/Mapping
Training/Demonstration/Supervision/
Research and Development
Districts 1 4 5 5 5 20
Districts
(Source: Ninth Five Year Plan Document HMG/N PP. 562)
4 6 8 10 12 40
Total

4.2 Solar Dryer
Historical Background
The simple and inexpensive process of open sun drying
is common in Nepal. Initially during mid seventies
RECAST initiated R&D works on Solar Dryers. Later
various private companies joined the market under
various development programs. Noteworthy to mention
here is the pioneering works of the Technical University
of Munich, Germany which in collaboration with
RECAST introduced tunnel type dryer in Marpha for
apple drying in 1993.
Current Status
A recent study done by RECAST preliminarily indicates
that about 14 districts of Nepal are using solar dryers.
About 808 solar dryers are being used out of which 763
are of box type, 37 are of cabinet type and 8 are of tunnel
type.
Earlier solar dryers were being used for drying fruits,
vegetables and meat products. But currently these are also
used for drying medicinal herbs, tree bark and herbarium
plant specimen. Various organizations are disseminating
this technology for setting up a micro enterprise.
System being used in Nepal
Few manufacturers and NGOs have attempted to
promote a few designs of solar dryers. A box-type solar
cabinet dryer developed at the Brace Research Institute
and modified by RECAST is being used for drying
vegetables and fruits such as apples, ginger, banana,
jackfruit and potato chips. A modified rack type solar
dryer developed by RECAST is also used for drying
fruits and vegetables, herbal plants and tree bark.
Institutional Status
• In the ninth five-year (1997-2002) plan 300 units of
solar dryer (each having a collector area of 3 sq. m)
are planned.
• First of all there is no formally registered Association
of Manufacturers of solar dryers in Nepal which
could really contribute to the healthy growth of this
industry.
Particular
Solar Cooker
Box Cooker
Standard Size
Available Subsidy for Solar Cookers and Dryers
Price/Unit
Subsidy (%)
(NRs)
• No government or semi government institution is
looking after the development of solar dryers.
Financial Mechanism
HMG of Nepal launched the subsidy program for solar
dryer through AEPC in the fiscal year 1997/98. From
April 1998 to May 1999 AEPC provided subsidy to 58
units of solar dryer. AEPC is currently providing 50
percent subsidy to the solar dryer costing from Rs. 2000/-
to a maximum of Rs. 20,000/- in case of tunnel type solar
dryer.
Human Resource Development
No specific institution is engaged in the training aspects
of solar dryers. A few trainings on fabrication and
maintenance is provided by CRT/N and RECAST in
some selected program areas.
Barriers in Promotion and Development
The main barriers for promotion and development of
solar dryers are as follows:
• Absence of integrated development approach.
• Absence of the required R&D works to develop
product specific low cost solar dryers for commercial
purposes.
• Lack of awareness and training program.
• Lack of specific plans/programs for the development
and dissemination of solar drying technology.
Remarks
Wooden Box 2,400/- 50 Maximum Subsidy per Unit
(size 2.5 sq. ft)
Parabolic SK-14
7,500/- 50 Maximum Subsidy per Unit
Diameter 1.4m
Solar Dryer
Tunnel Type 24 sq. ft 20,000/- 50 Maximum Subsidy per Unit
(Force Draft)
Cabinet Type 12 sq. ft 2,000/- 50 Maximum Subsidy per Unit
Rack Type Effective Tray 8,000/- NA
area 1.44 sq. m

• Poor monitoring and evaluation works.
• Lack of standard for quality control and
recommended practices for solar dryers.
• Poor arrangements for the marketing and financing
of solar dried products.
Future Strategy
• Solar dryers should be designed and fabricated taking
into consideration the relevant parameters needed for
regulation during the dehydration process based upon
sound food technology practices.
• Adequate R&D works should be carried out on the
linkages between the agricultural crop cycle and the
solar drying technology.
• Suitable codes of standardization and quality control
measures should be developed.
• Proper mass awareness and dissemination program
should be launched on a long-term basis regarding
the use, maintenance and benefits of solar drying
technology.
• HMG of Nepal should morally and financially
support institutions working on the promotion and
development of solar drying technology.
• AEPC should facilitate, monitor and coordinate the
various R&D, quality control, HRD program and
dissemination works related to the solar dryer
technology.
• Nepal Bureau of standards and Metrology should
develop relevant standards/recommended practices
for solar drying technology.
• Education at appropriate levels should be given about
solar drying technologies in the secondary and
tertiary levels of education.
• Vocational training schools should be encouraged to
impart fabricating and installing skills related to solar
dryers.
4.3 Solar Water Heaters (SWHs)
Historical Background
The development of SWHs in Nepal started around 1968
with the manufacture of first prototype SWH by Late
Rev. B. R. Saubolle and Asha Brothers in Kathmandu. In
autumn of 1974, Plumbing Division of Balaju Yanta Sala
(BYS) made a pilot SWH from an old electric hot water
tank and a small self-made collector. After considerable
experiments improved SWHs were supplied to boarding
school in Buddhanilkantha, Kathmandu. The
development of SWHs received further support at the
then newly established Sanitary Section of the
Mechanical Training Centre in Balaju with supports from
Helvetas of Switzerland.
Current Status
An estimated 20,000 households have installed SWH for
domestic purpose. While this makes less than 0.5 percent
of the total households in the country, Nepal is considered
one of the countries with the highest adoption of this
technology. Around 2000 new systems are primarily
being installed in newly built middle class homes. The
sector is propelled forward by status symbol as much as
utility (Pandey 2000).
Kathmandu district accounts for around 80 percent of
these systems followed by Lalitpur, Pokhara and
Bhaktapur. Almost all installations are within the
municipalities of these districts. Among commercial
users, hotels are the primary users of SWH. The industrial
sector is practically a non user. Among hotels, the more
expensive 'star' rated hotels use less solar heated water
than the non-star rated hotels (WECS 1998). The WECS
study reports that while 33 percent of the star hotels have
SWHs, in the non-star category, the percentage is much
higher, 60 percent of those in Kathmandu and 83 percent
in Pokhara have SWHs. Certain lodges and hotels along
trekking routes especially in Everest, Annarpurna and
Langtang areas have adopted this technology. Adoption
of SWH among educational and health institution is not
high, less than 20 percent of schools and negligible
among hospitals.
It is estimated that there are around 200 manufacturers
of SHWs in Nepal, primarily in the urban areas like
Kathmandu and Pokhara. Around 35 SWH manufacturers
registered with Department of Cottage and Small
Industries. In addition to this it is estimated around 80-90
unregistered manufacturers within Kathmandu valley and
likely to be similar number outside the valley as well,
which are seasonal constructors and make other products
during non-winter month. Since the manufacturing is
simple and can be done by rudimentary metal workshops,
there is no exact count of the number of actual
manufacturers.
There are variations in designs but despite the long
period of use in Nepal, the locally manufactured SWHs
are technically not in a very advanced stage. Thermo
siphon type is the only type manufactured and marketed
in commercial scale. The buyers have no choice as to the
type of coating, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to get
the standard performance curve from the manufacturers.
The problems could be due to lack of market demand for
sophisticated models, the need to keep the cost to
minimum, lack of appropriate materials and so on. About
20 units of Australian made sophisticated imported
Solahart brand SWHs have also been sold and used in
Kathmandu, which uses closed system with an anti-freeze
liquid for using in freezing climates.
The technical performance of the collecters and SWHs
are given only in terms of maximum outlet temperature of
hot water. The absence of detail technical characteristics
of the system often hinders the design of Solar heating
systems using the SWHs.

System being used in Nepal
Stationary Flat Plate Collector
As the name suggests, it is just a stationary flat plate
seen around the town in use with SHWs. The essential
components of this are: solar radiation absorbing surface
(black painted sheet) with the means for transferring the
absorbed energy to fluid, fluid conduit, glazing, insulation
and the casing (collector box). The collector forms a
major component of a system consisting of an insulated
tank, water feed system, stand, pipe work, valves and an
auxiliary heater as optional items. This collector remains
fixed to the initially installed direction and angles and
obviously cannot track the sun for having the best angle
for direct solar radiation. The advantage of this type of
collector is the low cost and ease of maintenance and the
disadvantage is the low efficiency compared to the other
types of the collectors.
Even after introducing SWHs before 30 years ago no
major change has been introduced to date in the SHWs.
The tracking system which tracks the Sun from the
morning to evening to receive the direct radiation at the
best angle to its surface was also unsuccessful due to its
high cost. Instead auxiliary systems like electric heaters
have been incorporated in many SWHs.
Institutional Status
• First of all there is no formally registered Association
of Manufacturers of SWHs in Nepal which could
really contribute to the healthy growth of this
industry.
• No government or semi government institution is
looking after the development of SWHs.
• No specific policy and program of HMG of Nepal
exists for development and promotion of SWH
technology.
• Various INGOs, NGOs and lodge owners are
disseminating this technology specially for heating
water for tourist showers.
• High initial cost. The current models are favorable to
high-income households thereby limiting its
adaptation by poor/disadvantage households.
• Lack of awareness and knowledge about the
applications and benefits of SWHs.
• Lack of standard for quality control and
recommended practices for SWHs.
• Lack of subsidy as well as financial incentives to the
users/manufacturers of SWHs.
• Use of subsidized kerosene for firing boilers by
hotels and other industries has not been prohibited by
HMG of Nepal.
• Lack of R&D and HRD activities for SWH
technology.
• Lack of technical manpower.
• Lack of proper monitoring and evaluation work.
Future Strategy
• R&D activities should be conducted by various
institutions to develop low cost SWH using locally
available materials thereby helping its adaptation by
poor households and also for use in tourist areas with
winter freezing temperatures.
• Introduction of proven technology like selective
coating and copper absorber pipes should be
introduced.
• Proper mass awareness campaign and dissemination
program should be launched for use and maintenance
of SWH giving emphasis to the energy saving aspect
of this device.
• HMG of Nepal should morally and financially
support institutions working on the promotion and
development of SWH technology.
• Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology should
develop relevant standards/recommended practices
for SWH technology.
• Legal provision to provide tax and fiscal incentives
for the user of SWH e.g. rebate in property tax and
fee for constructing new homes would greatly
accelerate installation of SWHs.
Financial Mechanism
There is no subsidy from the government or loan facility
from the banks to the users or manufacturers of SWH.
However, without any subsidy or support from the
government this technology grew relatively fast and
deeply penetrated into the private sector.
Human Resource Development
Balaju Technical Training Centre, Kathmandu provides
trainings on SWH. Various local manufacturers also
provide repair and maintenance trainings to the users
basically through the NGOs.
Barriers in Promotion
The main barriers for commercialization of SWH
technology are the following:
Solar Water Heater in Kagbeni, Mustang.

5. Centre for Rural Technology Nepal (CRT/N) and
its Solar Thermal Activities
CRT/N is a professional non-government organization
engaged in developing and promoting appropriate
technologies effective in meeting the basic needs of the
rural mass and improving their life support systems.
Initially it was established in August 1989 under the
Company Act. It has now been registered with HMG/N
under the Society Registration Act from October 1998 as
a non-government organization.
CRT/N adopts a participatory technology development
approach whereby the users, community leaders,
entrepreneurs and promoters work together and share
ideas, experiences and views regarding the technology in
concern.
CRT/N had been disseminating solar thermal
technologies especially cookers and dryers for number of
years. The activities undertaken by CRT are:
• Fabrication and testing of solar cookers and dryers
made from different locally available materials
• Organize several public demonstrations in order to
create mass awareness among the urban and rural
communities in collaboration with donor and line
agencies.
• Conduct training for manufacturers, promoters,
community workers and community members about
the advantages, fabrication and use of solar dryers
and cookers.
• Publication of various promotional materials and
training manuals on solar cookers and dryers.
• R&D work in collaboration with solar expert from
Solar Barbeque, Australia.
• Orientation/Demonstration of Solar Cooking
Technology for School Students of Kathmandu
Valley with funding support of LHWfN e.v.
• Promotion of Solar Dryer in Everest region with
funding support of WWF-Nepal.
• Promotion of solar cooking activities in Bhutanese
Refugee Camp in collaboration with Vajra
Foundation - The Netherland.
6. Few Case Stories
Case Stories 1
Mrs. Ratna Lama, a housewife, from Chandralalpur VDC,
ward no 7 in Siraha district lives with two children and her
husband. Her main occupation is farming and was thinking
of some other extra business to support her family. With this
view, she contacted Save the Children/US (SC/US) at
Golbazar near her village. SC/US gave her the suggestion to
keep a solar dryer to dry vegetables and fruits, which can be
used during off-season. For that, she needs training on the
solar drying technology. She decided to form a committee of
ten women; which had the chance to take the training on
operation, use and fabrication of solar dryer in January 1995.
After this training, her group contributed Rs. 200 each to
keep a solar dryer. The committee members are running this
project very smoothly. The group has expanded their
projects in later stage by adding other forms of cottage
industry like preparing mattress, cap and bags from a grass
called vetiver. For their investments they used the profit
made during their solar dryer activities.
By the success of this group 6 more such groups were
formed. Women groups were fully satisfied by this
technology because they are producing the dried vegetable
for off season use as well as sales in the market. When they
are busy in planting rice they have to hire labor and for them
they have to serve food and money i.e. up to Rs. 75 per day.
Since at that time the price vegetables is high, they can save
money by using their own dried vegetables. Use they sell 25
percent of the dried product in the local market as well as
send to Women Entrepreneurs Association Nepal (WEAN)
cooperative that sells the product for them.
(Ms. Karuna Bajracharya, 1997. 'A case study on the
application of an Environmentally Sound Technology (EST) at
small scale enterprises in Nepal')
Case Stories 2
Chadani Rajbhandari, resident of Devpatan, Kathmandu,
bought a parabolic cooker (SK-14) on April 1998 after she
realized its advantages. She had seen the cooker being used
so well in her relative.
Chadani uses solar cooker every day for boiling water. On
weekends she uses it to cook rice, dal, meat curry,
vegetables and to boil eggs. Now she is happy because it
takes about 45 minutes (in average) to boil 10 liters of water
in sunny days from which she is saving fuel (LPG).
Before, one cylinder of LPG used to run only for about 21
days but after bringing parabolic cooker in use it is sufficient
for about 31 days. This shows that the gas could be used for
extra 10 days. In terms of LP Gas cylinder she needs about
1.43 cylinder of gas per month that cost around Rs 664.95
per month and now she needs only 0.97 cylinder of gas per
month which cost only Rs. 451.05 per month after using
solar cooker.
Chadani also owns a sweet shop. In order to prepare the
sweets she used to need about 8 liters of kerosene every
week. But now after using the solar parabolic cooker she
saves about 2 liters. The cooker is also used to boil water
and melt ghee required for the shop.
She says that the solar cooked food is tasty. She also says
that she is suggesting her neighbors and friends to use solar
cooker to save fuel and money.
(Ms. Sama Shrestha, 1999. 'Teaching and Training
Communities of Kathmandu Valley in the use of Solar Parabolic
Cookers'.)

7. Conclusion
Solar thermal technology is a proven technology and can
be operated in almost all the regions of Nepal. Nepal's
major rural populations do not have access to national
grid. The feasible approach to supplement fuel for drying,
cooking and heating to remote locations in a reasonable
time frame is with development and dissemination of
renewable energy options specially decentralized small
size solar thermal systems that can be financed and
maintained by the local population. Solar thermal
processes like cooking, drying and water heating could be
a very effective means for reducing the current pressure
on already depleting natural resources. However, much
more efforts are required for creating mass awareness on
these technologies and their use through
orientation/demonstration activities as well as proper
strategies for technology transfer through training
activities and design development. These technologies are
cost effective and provide a sustainable technology for
rural areas if appropriate knowledge on the production
and the uses could be promoted with the use of local
materials and skill.
Selected References:
Amatya V. B. & Shrestha G. R. (1998) 'Review on
Policies and Their implications on Renewable Energy
Technologies in Nepal'. Report prepared for ICIMOD.
Kathmandu: CRT.
Amatya V. B. (1997) 'Energy Updates'. In WECS
Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 1 Kathmandu: WECS, HMG/N
Amatya V. B. & Kharel D. K. (1997) 'Energy from
Biomass: Present Status in Nepal'. In WECS Bulletin,
Vol. 8. No. 3 Kathmandu: WECS, HMG/N
CES (2000) 'Renewable Energy Perspective Plan:
Sectoral Report' Kathmandu
Pandey B. (2000) 'Renewable Energy Support Option'
Kathmandu: RESPO/WINROCK
Rijal K. (1984) 'Availability of Solar Energy in Nepal'.
Kathmandu: WECS, HMG/N
WECS (1994) 'Energy Sector Synopsis Report 1992/93'.
Kathmandu WECS, HMG/N
WECS (1997) 'Inventry on Solar Water Heating System
and its Technological Assesment for household Adoption
in Nepal.
Various types of Solar Cookers and Dryers during Exhibition