A collaborative team of Chinese and Swiss researchers has successfully demonstrated that solar cells can generate electricity at a depth of 10 metres underwater. Published in the journal Joule, the study addresses the historical limitation of solar technology, which typically struggles beyond two metres due to light attenuation. By utilizing lead halide perovskite solar cells specifically tuned to the underwater light spectrum, the team achieved significant operational stability. This breakthrough could revolutionize how offshore equipment, such as communication systems and aquaculture monitoring tools, is powered, marking a major step forward for submerged photovoltaic technology.
The research team, led by Wen-Hua Zhang from Yunnan University and the Southwest United Graduate School, noted that previous studies on underwater solar energy were restricted to very shallow environments. To overcome this, the scientists developed modules capable of absorbing blue to orange light, which is more prevalent at greater depths. Laboratory testing confirmed the durability of these cells, which retained 96 percent of their initial efficiency after 300 days in an oxygen-free environment and showed negligible degradation after 1,160 hours of simulated underwater exposure.
Moving beyond the laboratory, the researchers conducted real-world trials off the Weizhou Islands in the South China Sea. By mounting the solar modules onto underwater robots, the team confirmed that the technology could generate substantial electrical energy at a depth of 10 metres. The success of these large-area modules suggests that underwater photovoltaics could provide a reliable power source for various marine applications. Looking ahead, the researchers plan to test the limits of these perovskite solar cells at even greater depths and work toward establishing standardized testing protocols for the industry.