As part of pianofield we decided to make a solar powered MIDI keyboard in a case that looks just like a grand piano. The aim was to play realistic piano sounds in interesting and strange places. Here it is in the reed marshes outside the international concert hall at Snape Maltings, Suffolk, UK.
Here again on the beach at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, UK.
The solar panel fits onto the lid of the piano and is positioned to absorb the most sunlight. In this way, the standard solar panel controller charges the 12v led acid battery. This is then converted to the correct voltages for the keyboard, audio power amplifier and laptop through a highly complex switch-mode power supply which I designed.
Now this technology is used in all our gigs until the sun disappears when we most often have to eventually plug into the mains. But it means pianofield can literally play anywhere in the world!