Solar Powered Radio: Can Solar Generator Power a Radio

Brief Answer: Yes, a solar generator can easily power a radio. Most radios use 5W or less, which means even a small solar generator can keep them running for days on a single charge, making it ideal for camping, emergencies, or off-grid use.

Solar-powered radios are a practical and popular solution for people from different walks of life. People going off-grid in camping or van life use it to remain updated about the situation and to get emergency and weather reports. People who do not have constant access to power because of outages, etc., also use solar-powered radios for both news and entertainment. Radio is an invaluable resource in many areas. Batteries can last for a limited time, but a solar-powered radio is the way to go if you are looking for longer, uninterrupted functions.

Solar generators are reliable battery backup solutions that can keep essential appliances, such as radios, powered for long hours. They capture and store clean energy from the sun, so you get a quiet, portable way to power your radio and other small devices anytime, anywhere. With a Jackery Solar Generator, your radio stays powered through long trips, cloudy days, or emergencies without ever worrying about running out of charge. You can easily store the solar generator in the vehicle's rear compartment during long trips.

AI Takeaways 

• A solar-powered radio uses a built-in solar panel to capture sunlight and charge its internal battery, allowing it to play music or broadcast news without needing electricity or disposable batteries.
• A solar-powered radio can power itself using sunlight, while a solar generator offers far more storage and flexibility, keeping multiple radios or other small devices running for longer periods, even at night or in cloudy weather.
• Most radios consume 1W to 5W, making them highly energy-efficient and easy to power with any portable solar generator.
• Jackery Solar Generators are a reliable backup for radios. They provide clean, quiet energy for long listening hours during road trips, outdoor activities, or emergency situations.

What Is a Solar Powered Radio

A solar-powered radio is a battery-less radio receiver powered by photovoltaic technology. These PV panels absorb the energy from the sun and convert it into a direct current to power up the radio. The first solar-powered radio was launched in the 1950s by General Electric. This radio used transistors, photovoltaic cells, and a battery. This was a success because it pioneered many great solar devices eventually. A solar-powered radio is ideal for remote areas or during emergencies when the grid is unavailable. 

How Does a Solar Powered Radio Work

A solar-powered radio works by converting sunlight into electricity with the help of photovoltaic cells in a built-in solar panel. The generated electricity powers the radio and also charges the internal battery, allowing the radio when the direct sunlight is unavailable. Some radios also have a charge controller to regulate the electricity flow to the battery, helping you prevent the overcharging issue.

Solar Powered Radio VS. Solar Generator for Radio

There are two options to power up your radio using solar power. You can either use a solar-powered radio or you can use a solar generator for the radio. Solar-powered radio is a small portable device that can be taken anywhere. At the same time, a solar generator for radio is a bigger solution that can power multiple devices simultaneously.

Solar-Powered Radio

A solar-powered radio is like a traditional radio in looks and functions. The only difference is the type of power that the radio uses. A traditional radio uses batteries or socket power, whereas a solar-powered radio uses PV panels and solar batteries. Solar-powered radio is portable and can be taken anywhere because the sun is available everywhere. This is a favorite and must-have device for all outdoor, camping, and off-grid enthusiasts.

Limitation of Solar Powered Radio

One of the biggest limitations of solar-powered radio is that various features can affect the amount of power a device can produce with solar energy. So, the amount of solar exposure a radio gets will impact its signal receiving and performance.

Another limitation is that if a battery is not installed in the radio, it will not work at night and will not work efficiently on a cloudy day.

Solar Generator for Radio

A solar generator for radio is a bigger solution than a solar-powered radio. This versatile solution uses solar energy to power multiple devices. It is a green solution that is an environmentally friendly, noise-free, and low-cost alternative to gas-run machines in the long run.

Jackery Solar Generators make it simple to keep your radio running anytime, anywhere. Since radios require very little power, even Jackery’s compact models like the Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 can provide hours or days of continuous play. During camping trips, outdoor events, or unexpected power outages, you can plug your radio directly into the output ports. It can charge phones, run lights, or keep other small essentials powered for long hours.

For landscape photographer and small business owner Mark Houde, power means creativity and connection both in the wild and at work. On photography trips like Yosemite, his Jackery product keeps his cameras, lights, and laptop charged long after the sun sets, letting him edit and shoot without worrying about outlets. Back home, his wife uses their Jackery Portable Power Station to power fans, coolers, and speakers at local Kombucha markets. For Mark, Jackery products are the quiet partner that keeps his art, his business, and his adventures running. Read Mark’s full Jackery story to know more.

Limitations of Solar Generator

Solar generators have a high upfront cost compared to solar-powered radios.

How Many Watts Does a Radio Use

A portable radio typically uses 1 - 5 watts, while standalone stereo radios often use nearly 8 watts. Mobile radios consume more, up to 25 - 50 watts. It is important to discuss watts and watt-hours before we dive deep into radio power usage.

Watt vs. Watt Hours

• Watts is the amount of power it takes for a device to function
• Watt-hours is the amount of electricity your radio consumes. So, this is how much energy is used in a given amount of time.

How Much Does It Cost to Power a Radio

The cost to power a radio depends heavily on the type of radio, its wattage consumption, and how long it runs. Let us take the example of a 5-watt radio. If the 5-watt radio runs continuously for an hour, it consumes 5Wh of energy. If it runs for  2 hours, it will use 10Wh, i.e., 5 watts x 2 hours.

So, if the electric rate in the USA is 17.47 cents per kWh, then the cost of running a 5W for 10 hours is:

Daily Cost = $0.1747 × 0.05 = $0.008735 

It will cost you around $0.26 monthly.

How Much Solar Power Does a Radio Need

A radio needs very little solar power to run. Small portable radios typically use just 1 to 5 watts. Some larger tabletop or stereo systems may draw closer to 10 to 20 watts. If you use the radio for two hours, the small portable radio (1-5W) will need 2-10Wh.

Jackery Solar Generator for Radio

A portable solar generator is ideal for camping, off-grid, and van life power requirements. They are also used in areas where power outages are common. This is a better solution than a solar-powered radio or other individual solar-powered devices because a portable generator can power up most of your regular devices.

Jackery has a series of solar generators and power stations that can power up multiple devices, including radios, camping lights, mini-coolers, refrigerators, TVs, and other big appliances. Jackery Solar Generators are highly efficient, reliable, and durable. Whether you want to use the solar generator during outages or while camping on the road, these solar generators are ideal solutions.

Jackery Solar Generator 600 v2

The Jackery Solar Generator 600 v2 is the world's lightest 600Wh LFP solar generator and can power radios for hours. It can also support various outdoor appliances, including radios, camping lights, coolers, and more. It features a foldable handle to ensure easy carrying of the battery backup to outdoor locations during camping, RV living, glamping, and more. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Radio (10W) = 26.2H
• Light (10W) = 26.2H
• Speaker (100W) = 4.8H
• Cooler (150W) = 3.3H
• Mini Fridge (150W) = 3.3H

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery Solar Generator 600 v2 is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and families who want reliable off-grid power. With enough capacity to run a radio, lights, phones, and even small appliances, it is well-suited for camping trips, RV use, or as a backup during short home outages.

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a small portable solar generator for small camping trips and for supporting a few devices in power outages. It has a safe and stable battery which can power up your essential appliances and charge your cell phones, laptops, and radios. It features a compact design and a foldable handle that ensures you can carry it in your backpack or move around with the handle. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Radio (10W) = 11.8H
• Light (10W) = 11.8H
• Speaker (100W) = 2.1H
• Cooler (150W) = 1.5H
• Mini Fridge (150W) = 1.5H

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is suitable for solo travelers, hikers, or anyone who needs lightweight, grab-and-go power for running a radio, charging smartphones, or powering small gadgets during outdoor activities and road trips.

Customer Review 

I bought this to charge my laptop and phone while I'm working from a boat. So far, I'm impressed with the charging capacity. After charging my 15" Pro once, my phone twice, and running a fan for 45 minutes, it was still at 60%.

— Devin.

Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2

The Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 is a lightweight and easy-to-carry charging solution designed for daily camping needs. Its multiple output ports ensure you can charge various appliances, including radios, lights, smartphones, etc., on the go. It weighs only 7.7 lbs and features an integrated foldable handle to move the generator anywhere you go. 

Appliances Running Time 

• Radio (10W) = 10.5H
• Light (10W) = 10.5H
• Speaker (100W) = 1.9H
• Cooler (150W) = 1.3H
• Mini Fridge (150W) = 1.3H

Who Should Buy This 

The Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 is a budget-friendly choice for beginners who want simple, dependable power that can easily handle radios, phones, and other low-wattage devices.

Customer Review 

I absolutely love this smaller unit for camping and recreation. The 40W solar keeps the batteries charging. Very well designed, priced right, and their customer service shines!

— John Mulligan.

Solar-Powered Radio FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need to power a radio?

The size of the solar generator needed for a radio depends on your radio size and whether you want to power other devices simultaneously. If you want to calculate only for the radio, suppose it uses 10 watts. The working hours can be easily calculated with the help of the Running Time Calculator available on the product page. If you are using the Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 to run a radio (10W), go to the product page and locate the calculator. Then, enter the appliance's wattage consumption to get an estimated runtime. In this case, the Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 will run the radio (10W) for 10.5 hours.

How to choose a solar-powered radio?

The most critical features to look for in a solar-powered radio are;

1. Working time, i.e., how much running time on a stretch you require without charging.
2. Portability depends on how lightweight the radio is and does it have handles, collapsible antennas, and string.
3. Waterproofing and durability. You should check the IP rating to determine how protected your radio is from dust and water. IP65 is a good number to look for.

How to make a simple solar-powered radio?

You need the following supplies for making a simple solar-powered radio.

1. Battery-operated radio.
2. Small solar panel.
3. Wires with alligator clamps

Follow these steps to make a DIY solar-powered radio.

1. Remove the battery panel so that you can connect your solar panels.
2. Connect the solar panels in your radio battery compartment. Connect the solar panel wires to the matching terminals inside the radio's battery compartment.
3. Put your solar panels in the sunlight. When you have sufficient sunlight, your solar-powered radio must be running.

Can you power ham radio with a Jackery Power Station?

Yes, you can power a ham radio with a Jackery Power Station, but you need to ensure the power station's rated output (in watts) exceeds the wattage consumption of your ham radio. Generally, ham radios consume around 5-10 watts when receiving and spike around 50 watts or more while transmitting at full power. Some of the ideal power stations for ham radios include Jackery Solar Generator 240 v2 and Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus.

Final Thoughts

Solar-powered radio is an entertainment device for some and a critical device for some people to access emergency news and warnings. For any off-grid setup or camping adventure, when you are screen-detoxifying yourself, a solar-powered radio will help you remain safe and updated. Also, a solar generator is a better option for running your radio and other devices with solar power because it is a more independent and standalone solution. You can check Jackery Solar Generators for a wide range of options. The compact battery backup solutions are ideal for powering small devices, and essential home backup solutions are ideal for running most household appliances during outages.