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A solar-powered MW radio

Introduction

What could be more ecologically friendly than a radio powered by the sun’s energy? This design is quite standard, and if you have built any of the other medium-wave radios in this series, then this one should present few problems.

The solar panel

The solar panel is to the solar cell as the battery is to the cell; in other words a solar panel is several solar cells connected in series. The solar panel quoted for this radio will generate about 9 V at a current of around 30 mA on a sunny day. The circuit will operate on a supply of around 2 V, so bright sunshine is not necessary for satisfactory operation. The volume will be less, of course.

The circuit

The radio uses the ZN415E integrated circuit ...

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