Solar Cooking The Answer As SA Looks For Eskom-proof Cooking Solutions

Online, August 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Eskom's new electricity tariffs have sparked a search for Eskom-proof cooking solutions. Sun Ray Cooker™, a recently established South African manufacturer and marketer of solar cooking boxes, says enquiries for its Eskom-free product have already begun to rise.

Only now has the tariff impact struck home as households only recently received their electricity bills for July, when the power utility hiked rates by an average 28.9%.

"The increase adds to the consumer's financial burden and many people are looking for ways to economise," says Herman Warren, Sun Ray Cooker's chief executive.

"Eskom has not only hiked its rates, it has also warned there could be more power disruptions in 2011 and 2012. Consumers are therefore looking for affordable back-up solutions they can rely on. Even in winter, solar cooking is an exciting alternative because South Africa is blessed with such a generous supply of sunshine.

"The sun is your power socket in the sky and the Sun Ray Cooker™ is a great way of plugging in."

In August, South Africa has an average of 6.4 hours of sunshine a day versus 11.1 hours in December. Year round, South Africa enjoys one of the world's highest average sunshine 'allocations', with 8.5 hours a day against 3.8 in London, 6.4 in Rome and 6.9 in New York.

Solar cooking can achieve significant savings as a household stove accounts for 8% of domestic power consumption, says Warren.

He says solar solutions can cut electricity bills in several ways, though solar geysers - even with an Eskom subsidy - had yet to catch on. The reason was high initial costs.

Solar cooking is much less costly to implement.
A solar cooking box like the patented Sun Ray Cooker ™cooks and bakes with no risk of over-cooking. Users put food in the Cooker, leave it in the sun and let the meal cook; no need to stir. Natural temperature build-up does the rest.

Says Warren: "Our solar oven is affordable and versatile. It enables the consumer to cook a wide range of meals, from beans to stews. You can bake bread and make your favourite desserts. It's also safe and easy to use."

Solar cooking becomes part of the lifestyle for users and many domestic staff. The Sun Ray Cooker™ goes to work in the morning while users pop out. The meal is ready by mid-afternoon. The cooker holds enough food for up to six people.

It's easy to track increased consumer interest following the Eskom rate increase as the product is sold exclusively through the company's website at www.sunraycooker.co.za.

"We sell the Sun Ray Cooker™ on the nutritional benefits of natural cooking, on lifestyle convenience or as a smart outdoor cooking solution for campers," says Warren. "Now it's seen as an essential cord-less and Eskom-less household accessory."