RT Journal Article T1 The effect of partial loads on the performance of a funnel solar cooker A1 Apaolaza-Pagoaga, Xabier A1 Carrillo-Andrés, Antonio A1 Rodrigues Ruivo, Celestino A1 Fernández-Hernández, Francisco Ángel K1 Ecología humana K1 Ingeniería sostenible K1 Energía solar K1 Cocinas (Aparato) AB Several solar cooker designs have been proposed over the last decades. The funnel cooker is a well-known model, representative of the category of panel-type solar cookers. From the empirical experience of real practice, it is known that the use of partial loads has an impact on the performance of the cooker. However, this effect has not yet been investigated rigorously. This work aims to fill this lack. Extensive experimental work was performed to determine the effect of partial loads on a funnel cooker thermal performance. Tests were conducted on two identical funnel cookers, in Malaga, Spain, with low sun elevation. Cookers were tracked only azimuthally. Experimental protocol was based on ASAE 580.1 Standard for better replicability. Results showed that the standardised power drops by about 15% of the original value when the water volumetric load fraction drops by 25%, for both cooker operations, with and without glass enclosure. This important reduction is explained on how the fill level of the cooking vessel affects its function as a thermal radiation receiver. Results from experimental tests were correlated into a simple formula of practical interest. Finally, a new cooking vessel design, that improves performance at partial loads, i.e., a 25.4% increase in cooker power, was proposed and tested PB Elsevier YR 2022 FD 2022-11-20 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26365 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26365 LA eng NO Apaolaza-Pagoaga, X., Carrillo-Andrés, A., Ruivo, C. R., & Fernández-Hernández, F. (2023). The effect of partial loads on the performance of a funnel solar cooker. Applied Thermal Engineering, 219, 119643. NO Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga RD 20 ene 2026