First, the Schmidt theory assumptions were used to determine

the pressure variation of the working gas due to the reciprocating

motion of the displacer piston that caused the displacement of

gaseous working uid between hot and cold sources.

Helpful Hints

Avoid leaving fingerprints and smudges on the inside surface of the cooker. Keep

the inner surface clean and shiny by wiping occasionally

 with a wet towel. This will keep the Solar Funnel

Cooker working at its best.

If your funnel gets out-of-round, it can be put back into a circular shape by

attaching a rope or string between opposite sides which need to be brought closer

together.

For long-term applications, a hole in the ground will hold the Funnel Cooker

securely against winds. Bring the funnel inside or cover it during rain storms.

The lids can be used over and over. We have had some trouble with the rubber

on some new canning-jar lids becoming soft and "sticky." "Ball canning lids" do not

usually have this problem. Running new lids through very hot water before the first use
seems to help. The lids can be used over and over if they are not bent too badly when

opened (pry off lid carefully).

The jar can be suspended near the bottom of the funnel using fishing line or

string (etc.), instead of placing the jar on a block of wood. A plastic bag is placed around

the jar with air puffed inside, as usual, to trap the heat. The suspension method allows

sunlight to strike all surfaces of the jar, all around, so that heats faster and more evenly.

This suspension method is crucial for use in winter months.

Adjust the funnel to put as much sunlight onto the cooking jar as possible. Look

at the jar to check where the sunlight is hitting, and to be sure the bottom is not in the

shadows. For long cooking times (over about an hour), readjust the position of the

funnel to follow the sun's path. During winter months, when the sun is low on the

horizon (e.g., in North America), it is helpful to lay the funnel on its side, facing the

sun.The solar spectrum extends from the ultraviolet into the infrared (~300nm

2500nm). Photons (packets of light energy) whose energy is greater than that of the

bandgap of the photovoltaic device can be converted, by the device, into electrons, thus
generating a current. The following diagram shows a plot of the solar spectrum,

indicating the UV, visible, and IR portions of the spectrum, as well as showing where the

bandgap of silicon is located. The more light that hits the device, the more current will

be generated. The power provided by the solar cell depends both on this current that is

generated and the voltage that is produced on the device from the light hitting it.

Using photovoltaic cells, energy from the sun can be converted into electricity

that we can use every day. Silicon is one of many materials that can be used in a

photovoltaic cell to convert the suns energy into electricity. As sunlight strikes a silicon

solar cell the electricity generated can be used to power a motor. A lens can be used to

collect a large amount of light and concentrate it to hit a smaller solar cell.

Solar For energy

solar, wind and geothermal energy

the consumption of non-renewable sources like oil, gas and coal is increasing at an

alarming rate. The time has finally come to look after some other renewable sources of

energy i.e. solar, wind and geothermal energy. Although many countries have started

utilizing solar energy extensively but still they have to go a long way to exploit this

energy to fulfill their daily demand for energy. Here are few facts on solar energy that

can help you assess the potential of solar energy to meet global requirements.

solar geometry in relation to particular location is such that the sun

rises in the eastern sky and sets in the western sky.

Power required is decreasing and therefore solar energy is becoming more and more

feasible.

Solar energy levels is around 1367 W/m2 when it reaches the surface of the earth

(Duffie and Beckman, 2006).

or rounded as 1 kW/m2.