Solar Cookers International

What Solar Cookers International does

Solar Cookers International (SCI) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, with a distributed staff of fewer than ten employees (some part-time or contract) and a globally recognized mandate to advance solar cooking as a clean-energy and public-health intervention. Its core technical asset is the Performance Evaluation Process (PEP), a standardized testing protocol for solar cookers that is conducted at Regional Testing and Knowledge Centers (RTKCs) located in Kenya (University of Nairobi), New York (Nyack), and California (Pollock Pines), and is recognized by the Clean Cooking Alliance. SCI also maintains the Solar Cooking Wiki — described as the world's largest online database on solar cooking, with 100,000+ unique annual visitors — and a content library exceeding 1,700 pages.

SCI's primary end beneficiaries are the approximately 2.1 billion people globally who rely on polluting cooking fuels, served indirectly through implementing NGOs, government agencies, and community partners in 135+ countries. SCI itself monetizes through two streams: (1) donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors, supported by ratings from Charity Navigator, GuideStar (Platinum), BBB Wise Giving, and CharityWatch, plus a Legacy Circle for planned giving; and (2) consultancy services — including project design review, baseline surveys, trainer provision, and PEP testing interpretation — with PEP testing priced at $1,000 per cooker evaluated.

Operationally, SCI is best understood as an advocacy-and-standards body rather than a product vendor. It holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1996, participates annually in COP climate conferences (COP28–COP30), co-exhibits with ISES, runs joint side events with UNEP's Climate Technology Centre & Network, IRENA, SEforALL, the International Solar Alliance, and the Nordic Council, and collaborates with implementation partners including Solar Connect Association (Uganda), Solar Cooking KoZon (East Africa), Foundation for Sustainable Technologies (Nepal), and ADES (Madagascar). The 2023 Keeling Curve Prize Laureate award marks its most prominent external validation in the climate-finance community.

Name

Solar Cookers International

Legal name

Solar Cookers International

Website

https://solarcookers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solar Cookers International is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances solar cooking globally through advocacy, the proprietary Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) testing standard, and consultancy services, serving energy-poor communities across 135+ countries via a network of NGO and UN partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Cooking Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

Keywords

• Solar cooking solutions
• Clean cookstove testing
• Nonprofit solar advocacy
• Clean cooking energy
• Cookstove performance evaluation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax I.D. 68-0153141), SCI generates revenue primarily through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The organization hosts fundraising events and accepts legacy gifts.
2. Consultancy Services: SCI provides consultancy services to projects incorporating solar cooking, including project design review, access to training manuals and resources, baseline surveys, trainer services, and PEP testing interpretation. Fees vary by service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Solar Cookers International (SCI) sells two core offerings: the Performance Evaluation Process (PEP), a standardized testing and certification program that measures solar cooker performance at recognized Regional Testing and Knowledge Centers, and SCI Consultancy Services, which provide project design review, training resources, baseline surveys, solar radiation analysis, and PEP test interpretation for NGOs and agencies implementing solar cooking projects. Revenue also comes from charitable donations and grants supporting the organization's global advocacy and capacity-building mission.

Product overview

Solar Cookers International (SCI) operates as a non-profit organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of the Performance Evaluation Process (PEP), a standardized testing and certification service for solar cookers conducted at Regional Testing and Knowledge Centers, and SCI Consultancy Services, which provide expert guidance for organizations implementing solar cooking projects including project design review, training resources, solar radiation analysis, and performance testing interpretation. SCI also maintains a global network and resources including the Solar Cooking Wiki, advocacy at UN events, and membership programs through the SCI Association.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Performance Evaluation Process (PEP): SCI's proprietary solar cooker testing and evaluation program that measures cookstove performance according to international standards.

Products and services

• Performance Evaluation Process (PEP)
• SCI Consultancy Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 solar cooker preserves more than 1 ton of wood every year
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and support.

• International Solar Energy Society (ISES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISES is listed as a supporter and collaborator. SCI co-exhibited with ISES at COP30, showcasing PEP-tested solar cookers.
• InteractioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteraction is listed as a supporter and collaborator, representing a network of humanitarian NGOs.
• Global Warming Mitigation ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCP Laureate designation. SCI collaborated on events including COP28 side events and the Keeling Curve Prize.
• REN21supportStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a supporter and collaborator in renewable energy advocacy network.
• Clean Cooking AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI is a testing center recognized by the Clean Cooking Alliance. Evaluations are arranged by SCI and conducted at Regional Testing and Knowledge Centers.
• United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI collaborates with CTCN on solar cooking projects including initiatives in the Central African Republic, Mali, and Yemen. CTCN provides technical assistance through the UN Environment Programme.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI's collaboration with UNEP's Climate Technology Centre & Network supports CAR's effort to deploy zero-emission solar cooking.
• Brahma KumarissupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI has collaborated with Brahma Kumaris on multiple COP events including 'Climate Wisdom' sessions and renewable energy initiatives.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)supportStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI participated in COP29 event 'Renewables based clean cooking: An opportunity for climate and development' organized with IRENA.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEforALL collaborates with SCI on solar cooking initiatives. Mikael Melin, Head of People Centred Programmes, has spoken at SCI COP events.
• Nordic CouncilsupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI participated in joint side event with UN CTCN at Nordic COP30 Pavilion focusing on climate security and locally led solutions.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)supportStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI participated in ISA Pavilion event 'Solar Clean Cooking: Paving the Way to a Net-Zero World' at COP29.
• Uganda Development BanksupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI participated in side event 'Financing Energy Efficiency Solutions to Foster Sustainability' at Uganda Pavilion during COP30.
• Solar Connect Association (SCA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSCA in Uganda is an SCI partner implementing solar cooking projects. Between 1994 and 2018, SCA distributed 110,000 solar cookers in Uganda, South Sudan, eastern Congo and Burundi.
• Solar Cooking KoZoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSolar Cooking KoZon is an SCI partner that promotes solar cooking in East Africa using a business approach. Alewijn van Asperen serves as KoZon Board Member and East-Africa Coordinator.
• Foundation for Sustainable Technologies (FoST)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFoST is an SCI partner in Nepal implementing solar cooking projects. Founder Sanu Kaji Shrestha conducts workshops and projects.
• PRINCE (Promoters, Researchers & Innovators in New & Clean Energy)supportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSCI Global Advisor Ajay Chandak founded PRINCE, which promotes solar thermal cooking. Dr. Chandak received 2017 SCI Order of Excellence.
• ADES - Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire SuissesupportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerADES in Madagascar is managed by SCI Global Advisor Rita Bachmann, working to reduce deforestation through solar cookers and energy-saving stoves.
• Vajra Foundation Nepal (VFN)supportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVFN works with SCI on solar cooking efforts at Vajra Academy and refugee camps. By 2013, approximately 85,000 refugees were cooking with solar methods.
• Kyoto Twist Solar Cooking SocietysupportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFounded by SCI Global Advisor Jack Anderson, initiated about 20 projects in Haiti, Bolivia, Mali, Madagascar, and Tanzania with 639 families.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCr_TPYUAyh13kVbQjzVKh0g
• Facebookfacebook.com/SolarCookers
• Xx.com/solarcookersint
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solar-cookers-international

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solar Cookers International