Solar Stove: With LPG cylinder prices going up and supply worries, people in the country are really starting to talk about new cooking methods. Because of gas shortages and high costs in many places, folks are on the lookout for alternatives that don’t rely on LPG.
In the meantime, Indian Oil’s innovative solar cooking system, “Surya Nutan,” is back in the limelight. Interestingly, just five days ago, Indian Oil refreshed its website with details about Surya Nutan. The message is pretty clear: with the gas cylinder shortage, more people are searching for new solutions. While you can’t buy it directly, there’s a form on the site for inquiries.
This solar stove harnesses solar energy for cooking and can be used right in the kitchen. It was developed at Indian Oil’s Research and Development Center in Faridabad and is seen as a clean and budget-friendly option for home cooking. Indian Oil’s website labels it as an R&D product, but it also provides a way to ask for more information.
How does the Surya Nutan Solar Stove work?
Surya Nutan is a bit different from your usual solar cooker. It captures energy from solar panels set up on the roof and sends it through a cable to the kitchen cooktop. This means you don’t have to place the stove in direct sunlight to cook.
The system also features a special thermal battery that turns the sun’s energy into heat and stores it. This means you can keep cooking even when the sunlight is low or during the evening.
This stove works in hybrid mode, which means it can also run on electricity if needed. This ensures you can cook without interruptions, even during the rainy season or winter.
What can you cook with it?
Surya Nutan is built to tackle almost all daily cooking tasks. It provides a range of cooking options, from boiling and steaming to frying and even making bread. It’s designed to cater to the needs of an average family, making daily meal prep a piece of cake.
Three different variants, cooking will happen day and night
Indian Oil has introduced this solar cooking system in three variants according to different needs.
The first model is Surya Nutan L, which is designed for daytime cooking and is priced between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000.
The second model is the Surya Nutan LD, which can be used for both lunch and dinner. Its price is estimated to be around Rs 18,000 to Rs 22,000.
The third and most advanced model is the Surya Nutan LDB, which is designed for all-day cooking—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its price can be around Rs 23,000.
Trying to reduce dependence on LPG
India imports a large portion of its LPG needs. Therefore, technologies like solar cooking are being considered as a future option. Reports suggest that if such technologies are adopted on a large scale, they could reduce both LPG consumption and carbon emissions in the country. However, this is not easy, as they are difficult to install and availability is limited.
