Sharp demos solar powered 52" HDTV

If you’re concerned about the running cost of a large HDTV set, Sharp claims to have the solution with its new solar-powered 52" HDTV, which it has been demonstrating at CEATEC 2008.  Obviously, most people don’t watch TV outside in the sunshine, so the kit will most likely require professional installation with the solar panel mounted on the roof.

Sharp claims that the TV’s power requirement is equal to the amount of energy the solar panel produces due to the TV’s energy efficient technology and LED backlighting and its high output solar panel.  However, as the amount of sunlight one receives totally varies depending on the weather, where they are located and the season, it’s unclear under what condition is required for the TV to run solely on solar power, even with batteries to store the energy.

So far, no pricing information or availability have been announced, but considering the high price of photovoltaic solar panels, one would need to watch a lot of TV to recoup the additional cost of the solar panels compared to a typical 52" HDTV set.  This also assumes that the user lives in a place with plenty of sunshine!