A strategic model to identify the factors and risks of solar cooker manufacturing and use: A case study of Razavi Khorasan, Iran

Abstract Solar energy is the Earth's primary source of energy and the most widely available source of renewable energy. Its use in cooking is just one of its numerous applications and benefits. By concentrating solar energy into a small area, a solar cooker is capable of generating sufficient heat to cook, pasteurise and sterilise food items. This paper aims to identify factors affecting solar cooker 1) manufacturing and development and 2) project implementation in the Razavi Khorasan province of Iran. The necessary data was collected via an expert panel and a questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that factors such as Capital, Financial support, Economy, Technology and infrastructure, and Interactions directly impacted the successful promotion of solar cookers in Iran. While all these factors affected solar cooker development positively, Interactions had the most profoundly positive influence. The results of this research would benefit solar cooker manufacturers and users either living in the region and in other suitable locations.