Yunnan University researchers develop underwater perovskite solar cells

Researchers from Yunnan University and the Southwest United Graduate School in Kunming have developed perovskite solar cells capable of generating electricity at depths of up to 10 meters below the sea surface. Using lead halide perovskites with a wide-bandgap of approximately 1.96 eV, the team successfully demonstrated the technology in the South China Sea near the Weizhou Islands.

The cells are designed to absorb specific wavelengths of light, such as blue and orange, that penetrate deeper into the water. During real-world testing on an underwater robot, the modules generated 324 mWh of electricity over two hours, which is sufficient to charge lithium-ion batteries. The researchers reported a power conversion efficiency of 34.71% and noted minimal degradation after 1,160 hours of simulated testing.

This development complements China's broader push for offshore renewable energy. The country is increasingly implementing large-scale photovoltaic projects in coastal provinces like Jiangsu to compensate for limited land availability. These offshore initiatives often integrate solar power with energy storage and hydrogen production to stabilize the grid.