This weekend, I experimented with some do-it-yourself solar cooking, assisted by my furry sous chef, Frank.
The concave reflector below was cannibalized from a not-so-popular torchiere - first wrapped with aluminum foil, then with better results, spray painted chrome.
Alternative prototypes involved cardboard flaps covered with aluminum foil for additional reflectivity.
The earlier, weaker version worked nicely for heating up a tasty tomato and pesto sandwich. My wife Vickie made the amazing pesto from the basil in our garden, tomatoes were homegrown from the farmer's market, and we added fresh mozzarella - all on fresh-baked rye bread, again from the local farmer's market. Delicious!
Vegetables seasoned with herbs from our garden were on the menu for day two. They cooked nicely until an afternoon storm blew up. A bump up on the stove, and the veggies over brown rice complemented Vickie's out-of-this-world gazpacho for a tasty fresh feast.
My dog Frank was in charge of quality control.
Update: Check out this article on how to use a solar cooker for links to commercial and DIY solar ovens.
WHEN in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the Emotional and Economic bonds which have connected them with a destructive Energy Policy,a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should chart a New Course.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Energy sources are not created equal, that they are endowed by their Nature with certain identifiable Costs and Characteristics that affect Life (Sustainability), Liberty (Energy Independence) and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Women and Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Energy production becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a policy of Alternative Energy production, laying its foundation on sustainable principles and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.
The history of the present Energy Policy is a history of repeated Environmental and Economic injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over their Quality of Life. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
The current Energy Policy of these United States of America:
Has shackled the People with economic burdens of relentless and unpredictable spikes in the cost of Energy;
Has enriched certain Corporate entities while placing great strain on the Livelihood of the Citizens and the Health of their Planet;
Has fostered social habits among the Citizens so as to constitute addiction to and dependence on Non-Renewable Energy resources;
Has placed their Economic fortunes in the hands of rogue despots and unfriendly nations having control of oil and gas supplies;
Has influenced aggressive invasions of foreign lands by their Elected officials resulting in loss of life and limb and treasure and good will;
Has discouraged and downplayed the viability of Alternative Energies, and has underestimated the ingenuity of the Citizens of the United States;
And, by its short-sightedness, has caused the deterioration of the Health, Welfare and Well-Being of the American People.
We, therefore, the Citizens of the United States of America solemnly publish and declare, That the People are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent of all forms of Imported and Non-Sustainable Energy, and That the goal of Energy Independence shall be a National priority, and That the elected Leaders of the People shall act with urgency, intelligence, and resolve to achieve Energy Independence on or before July 4th, 2020.
Just back from Wisconsin where, among other things, I attended the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's annual Energy Fair.
Over the next few days I'll be posting photos of the event.
This year, over 23,000 people attended the event from across the globe. 270 vendors displaying a variety of renewable energy-related products and services, and more than 200 seminars and workshops disseminated renewable energy information galore.
I was ably assisted (at least on the first day) by my good friends Robert Godfrey and Jeff Havens - "A-list" charter members of the Green Technology Team.
Wind farms are sprouting up like high corn rows in the the nation's breadbasket. I recently spotted this wide windload on Interstate 39 in northern Illinois en route to its final destination: it looked "ready for planting."
New smart grid technology will transport wind energy from the Midwest and solar energy from the Southwest to major metropolitan areas across the US making renewable energy an even more attractive option.
Things are heating up at the BeauSoleil World Headquarters in Lafayette. In the midst of a heat wave in muggy southern Louisiana, TEAM BeauSoleil is charging ahead WITHOUT air conditioning. Talk about sweat equity...
Solar Decathlon Update: Every two years 20 university teams are chosen, based on proposals, to design an all-solar home and assemble it on the National Mall in Washington DC for public viewing and judging. Check back each Wednesday as the NAV Blog reports on the process of the design and construction of BeauSoleil, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's entry. For more info about the project, visit their website. And check out a short film about the project.
Click on this link for a time-lapse film of the past 3 months or so of construction at the BeauSoleil World Headquarters. QuickTime player required.
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This weekend, I experimented with some do-it-yourself solar cooking, assisted by my furry sous chef, Frank.
