A South African firm has come out with a rugged and affordable solar cooker that could improve the lot of women in underdeveloped areas and reduce deforestation and air pollution (Solar Today, Vol 9, No 1).

The Sunstove, as it is called, costs US $25 apiece and can be used for cooking food, pasteurising milk and boiling water. The interior of the cooker is large enough to accommodate two black cooking pots, one of 6 litre capacity and the other of 2 litre capacity.