Scientists operate first underwater solar power system in open ocean

A research team from Yunnan University has successfully operated a perovskite-based solar power system submerged 10 metres below the sea surface, marking the first time solar cells have functionally generated electricity at depth in open ocean conditions.

The experimental installation charged batteries and illuminated an LED panel using only the filtered sunlight penetrating the water column. The achievement addresses a fundamental technical challenge: conventional silicon solar cells cannot efficiently capture the narrow blue-green light spectrum that persists underwater as depth increases.

Breakthrough uses lead halide perovskite technology

The Yunnan University scientists deployed lead halide perovskite solar cells for the trial, published in the journal Joule. Perovskite materials can be tuned to absorb wavelengths that penetrate water more effectively than silicon.

The research demonstrates that energy harvesting remains viable even in the dim underwater environment where most visible light has been absorbed. Until now, sunlight's rapid fading beneath the surface has been considered an insurmountable barrier to submarine photovoltaic systems.

The publication date was September 11. The system was tested at 33 feet depth, establishing proof of concept for powering future underwater operations through renewable energy.

Source: South China Morning Post