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Abstract

Urban households account for a substantial share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with domestic cooking representing an often-overlooked component of residential energy demand. Low-cost solar cooking technologies offer a promising pathway towards urban decarbonization by harnessing renewable solar energy while reducing dependence on grid electricity and promoting circular resource use. This study evaluates the contribution of two experimentally developed low-cost solar box ovens to urban sustainability under Mediterranean climatic conditions in Lisbon, Portugal. A recycled cardboard prototype and a timber-based prototype were assessed through controlled outdoor experiments involving thermal performance, cooking capability, energy savings, and environmental evaluation. Both systems achieved temperatures suitable for practical household cooking, while the timber-based design demonstrated superior thermal stability, higher peak temperatures (158°C), extended heat retention, and improved operational reliability. However, the recycled cardboard prototype demonstrated clear sustainability advantages by giving a second life to discarded cards with no remaining practical use, extending material utilisation and avoiding their immediate disposal, while combining minimal production costs with high accessibility for educational and community applications. Beyond thermal performance, the findings suggest that affordable solar cooking can contribute to reducing household electricity demand, lowering carbon emissions, encouraging circular economy practices, and supporting behavioural changes towards more sustainable energy use. The study highlights the potential of decentralized solar thermal technologies as complementary solutions for sustainable Mediterranean cities and provides practical evidence to support the integration of low-cost renewable cooking systems into urban sustainability and household decarbonization strategies.

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