Volume 4 Issue 2 (2025): In Progress

One of the major challenges facing the energy sectors in practically all developing countries worldwide is clean cooking. In Sierra Leone, only 1% of the population has access to clean cooking, making it one of the worst among the developing countries with clean cooking problems. Many people are switching to improved biomass cookstoves (IBCs), but the unprecedented production of charcoal‑based IBCs and varied designs, particularly ceramic linings, make it difficult for users to choose the right size. The study surveyed major IBC production and sales centres in Sierra Leone’s western regions between 2021 and 2023, examining temperature profiles of the metal stove (MS) and wonder stove (WS). The data showed that an average of 3352 MS and 1833 WS were produced and sold between 2021 to 2023. A water boiling test was adopted for IBCs testing and Testo 310 flue gas analyzer was used to track the temperature profiles of the chosen IBCs. The findings suggest that WS could be able to generate and retain heat more quickly and sustainably than MS. Additionally, the recorded temperatures and timings of all IBCs were also subjected to a systematic correlational analysis. A simulation of the various temperatures and times was also plotted to ascertain the temperature‑time graph differences. These results are relevant and could aid in the analysis of IBC emissions and thermal efficiency. Thus, the results of the study could be utilized to offer policy recommendations for IBC production and sales centres in Sierra Leone and other developing countries.

Among all climatic parameters, solar radiation is one, if not the most, involved in different applications (meteorology, agriculture, environment, etc.). However, due to economic constraints (especially in low‑income countries like ours), it is not always measured. Over the years, several empirical correlations estimating global solar radiation (GSR) have been developed around the world by different authors. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance and accuracy of a temperature‑based model and to estimate the GSR received at four localities (Nanga Eboko, Ngaoundere, Tchollire and Maroua) in Cameroon. The studied model is that proposed by Hargreaves‑Samani in 1982. It takes into account the latitude of the site and the daily minimum and maximum air temperatures. With commonly used statistical indicators (whose values are all within the acceptable range), the measured and estimated GSR values were compared and analyzed. According to the results, this model gives for the study area, a reasonable degree of good fitting and correlation between measurements and estimations. We also found that the further we move towards the north, the higher solar radiation is received and the performance of the model improves. Thus, from south to north, the country receives in average values, 4.6437 kWh m⁻² d⁻¹ at Nanga Eboko, 5.5667 kWh m⁻² d⁻¹ at Ngaoundere, 5.6968 kWh m⁻² d⁻¹ at Tchollire and 5.7936 kWh m⁻² d⁻¹ at Maroua. In case of missing data and taking into account the foregoing, we can consider the studied model as an accurate and useful tool in predicting GSR in the study area and similar geographical locations around the world.