The Sharp Sunman EL-8026 holds a significant place in calculator history as the first solar-powered calculator to enter mass production. It featured a unique design with two Sharp EL-225 solar modules mounted on the back, facing away from the screen—a configuration never repeated in later models. The EL-8026 solar calculator was a modified version of the EL-8020 non-solar, battery powered calculator.
While the EL-225 powered the Sunman, Sharp’s first solar module, the EL-224, was designed for larger applications like lighthouses and off-grid installations. Sharp continued to refine its solar technology, eventually developing an ultraviolet solar cell to increase efficiency with indoor light. This innovation appeared in models like the EL-826, EL-835, and EL-838SE.
Following RCA’s pioneering work with amorphous solar cells, Sharp acquired the technology from ECD Inc. in the United States. This enabled the creation of incredibly thin card calculators, measuring just 1.6mm thick. These sleek designs, featuring thin-film button keys, established the market for compact, portable calculators.
