Designing Solar Powered Food Stall and Enhancing Knowledge of Food Stall Holders by Using Solar Energy for Environment Conservation

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Solar energy is an understandable choice for domestic as well as commercial use. Majority of the population of India lives in rural areas, there is scope for generating and promoting the use of solar energy. The present study is focused on designing food stalls operating on solar energy for energy conservation and pollution reduction. More than three-fourth of the respondents (69.9%) cook for 4-to-6 hours in a day and one-half spend ₹200-₹400 during cooking. The majority of respondents used wood, coal, kerosene and LPG in the last 24 hours. Majority of respondents had awareness that fuel consumption can increase the emission of harmful gases in the environment. Pollution is one of the major negative effects of fossil fuel (91.6%), greenhouse gases can deplete the ozone layer (95.6%) and release of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the burning of coal and oil contribute in smog and acid rain. The type of fuel used and the amount of fuel used during cooking and food preparation have a profound impact on the environment and air pollution. According to the data gathered it was revealed that the practices followed by the food stallholders for cooking food had adverse effects on the environment. To demonstrate the operation of actual solar operated food stall which was designed by the researchers the workshop was conducted online through Zoom Platform and the food stall owners were requested to join the workshop via the link provided. The study's findings will raise public awareness about the importance of using renewable resources to improve the lives of all people.