Social cost benefit analysis of an investment in a box type solar cooker has been made. The economic and financial costs per meal cooked by a box type solar cooker have been estimated. The fuel saving accrued due to the use of a box type solar cooker has been valued at the economic cost(s) of the respective fuel(s). The potential reduction in the amount of CO{sub}2 released in the atmosphere due to the use of the box type solar cooker has also been taken into account in the estimation of the economic benefits. The discounted payback period, net present value (NPV), benefit to cost ratio and internal rate of return have been estimated. The economic feasibility of the box type solar cooker depends upon the fuel saved (i. e. kerosene, LPG and coal etc.), the NPV being highest for the case of coal substitution. As the economic benefits of using the box type solar cooker also include the cost of reduced CO{sub}2 emissions, the economic indices are substantially higher than their financial counterparts.
展开▼
