First Community Solar Oven Created in Cape Verde

In an innovative initiative, Benedict, a former teacher of Luxembourgish and Cape Verdean nationality, resident in Cape Verde for two years, created the first community solar oven in the entire country. The ecological device, which has already been in operation for a month in the town of São Domingos, in the interior of the island of Santiago, was developed through the " Pon di sol " project, created by Benedict herself.

The main objective of the project is to benefit rural areas of Cape Verde, offering women new business opportunities, especially in the area of cooking. "You can do anything in this oven. We've been able to bake bread, cake and cookies. We've also roasted corn and peanuts," says Benedict. The oven, powered 100% by solar radiation, can generate temperatures of up to 900 degrees Celsius, and can also be used by local carpenters to heat treat wood.

The oven's curved mirrors concentrate solar radiation and project it towards the focal point, where the high temperature necessary for its operation is generated. In addition to providing a sustainable alternative, the solar oven helps to reduce energy and gas costs, also bringing environmental benefits by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Laida da Pereira, one of the women from the São Domingos community who has taken advantage of the solar oven, says that the creation brought new business ideas: "It helps a lot, it doesn't use energy or gas. It's advantageous."

After the success in São Domingos, Benedict plans to expand the project to other rural areas of Cape Verde, promoting the use of solar energy and contributing to the country's sustainable development.