Can solar power work underwater? Scientists test solar panels 10 metres beneath the sea
According to the researchers, perovskite-based solar panels could operate for five and a half years underwater.
Scientists have recently tested solar panels submerged 10 meters beneath the South China Sea, revealing the potential for underwater solar power. Designed to capture sunlight that can pass through seawater, these panels could extend the operational duration of underwater equipment without solely relying on batteries. During a two-hour trial near Weizhou Islands, the panels successfully generated power from sunlight at this depth.
Lab tests indicate that the panels could operate continuously for years, marking a significant advancement over previous studies focused on shallower depths. The research, published in the journal Joule, explores how solar panels can function efficiently at greater underwater depths where sunlight fades more rapidly.
Sunlight intensity diminishes with depth in water, but certain wavelengths of blue and green light can reach deeper than others. To optimize this light, the researchers utilized perovskite solar cells, an alternative to traditional silicon panels, which can be tailored to absorb specific light wavelengths. In laboratory settings emulating a 10-meter depth, these cells efficiently converted around 35% of the sunlight they received into electricity.
The researchers then scaled up their tests in the South China Sea. At two meters deep, their 115 square centimeter solar panels produced 1,416 milliwatt-hours over two hours, equivalent to roughly half the capacity of a rechargeable AA battery. At 10 meters, they generated 324 milliwatt-hours, a modest amount but still a substantial improvement over expectations.
After 1,160 hours of simulated underwater conditions, the panels demonstrated minimal performance loss, with researchers estimating a potential operational lifespan of about five and a half years at this depth.
This breakthrough opens new possibilities for underwater solar applications, potentially powering ocean sensors, cameras, and communication equipment that currently rely on frequent battery replacements. However, further research is needed to assess the panels' performance at even greater depths.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
