Experimental investigation of high temperature congregating energy solar stove with sun light funnel

A solar stove which uses a light funnel to guide light and congregate solar energy has been designed. Its structure and operation principle have been introduced. The performance tests under the real weather have been carried out and the graphic lines of experiment have been given. The experimental result shows that the maximum temperature inside the stove is as high as 250 degrees C under the condition of 1.5 m(2) of lighting area, 70% reflectivity of reflecting aluminum foil inside surface of concentrator and no load (without water inside the coil pipe). When reflectivity is 86% the heat collecting efficiency of the device is about 43%. The collecting power that the stove receives can be up to 500 W. It is an ideal medium and high temperature solar energy congregating device suitable for industrial usage or cooking and other domestic usage. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.