Sharp EL-8026
Sharp EL-8026
The first calculator to employ solar cells, though these are mounted on the rear and are used to recharge the batteries.
Display is 8 digits, LCD (it does not have the intense yellow filter to remove damaging ultra-violet rays, but does have a very feint yellow tinge).
4-function, %, square root.
Power supply is a rechargeable pack made of 3 button cells.
Integrated circuit is a Sharp LI3001, here date coded 1976.
Size 66 x 110 x 10 mm (2.6 x 4.3 x 0.4").
1976.
Made in Japan by Sharp Corporation.
The Sharp EL-8026 was one of a series of similar calculators using the same rechargeable button cell pack. The others employ AC-powered chargers, but this model has no provision for a charger, instead using the solar cells to recharge the batteries by leaving the calculator in strong light such as sunlight.
Since the solar cells are on the rear this model was not designed to be used while solar powered. The solar cells are only for recharging the batteries. Pure solar powered calculators (with no batteries) appeared a little later with calculators such as the Teal Photon.
