An International Solar Food Processing Conference, "SOLAR FOOD 2009", is scheduled to be held from 14 to 16 Jan 2009, at the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women in the city of Indore, India. The conference is organized by The Solar Food Processing Network of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES).

In India there is immense potential for using the sun's bounty as an alternate energy source, and in vast areas of the country, it's possible to cook using solar energy for 70 - 80 % of the days in a year. The timing of the conference is quite apt. In India the Sun God (Surya) is traditionally worshipped as the enabler of all growth, directly or indirectly. During harvest festivals, farmers and end-users alike propitiate the Sun God, and these festivals are celebrated between mid January and mid April. Mid-January is when the sun begins its annual journey northward (Uttaraayan Punyakaal in Sanskrit). During this period, weather starts warming up in the southern parts while northern India is still all wrapped up in woolens. As the warmth travels northwards, the harvest festivities continue in different regions till 'Holi', the festival of colors that heralds the spring season. The most famous harvest festival is the Makara Sankranti that falls on 14-15 January.

According to the organizers, the conference intends to act as a platform for solar food activists to exchange information on several aspects of solar food processing, including technologies, packaging, standards and marketing. The 3-day conference will feature experts' presentations, interactive workshops, practical demonstrations, exhibitions and discussion forums. It's possible for participants to interact and form new and useful partnerships. One of the main agenda points is to "discuss the format of an international solar food standard".

Registration details are available here.