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Perovskite solar panels successfully tested 10 metres underwater
Researchers from Yunnan University and the Southwest United Graduate School have successfully tested perovskite solar panels at a depth of 10 metres in the South China Sea. The study, published in the journal Joule, marks a significant advancement over previous underwater solar experiments that were largely limited to depths of two metres or less.
Because seawater absorbs and scatters most sunlight, the team utilized perovskite solar cells. Unlike standard silicon panels, perovskites can be tuned to absorb specific wavelengths, such as the blue and green light that penetrates deeper into the ocean. In laboratory simulations, these cells converted approximately 35% of available light into electricity.
During a two-hour field test near the Weizhou Islands, panels at a depth of 10 metres produced 324 milliwatt-hours of electricity. While lower than the 1,416 milliwatt-hours produced at a depth of two metres, the result confirms the practical viability of deep-water solar power. The researchers noted that the panels showed almost no performance loss after 1,160 hours of simulated immersion, suggesting they could operate continuously for approximately five and a half years.
This technology could provide a long-term power source for underwater equipment, such as ocean sensors, cameras, and communication devices, reducing their reliance on replaceable or rechargeable batteries.
Entities
Joule · South China Sea · Weizhou Islands · Wen-Hua Zhang · Yunnan University
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Researchers from Yunnan University demonstrated a perovskite solar power system operating 10 meters below the ocean surface. www.electricaltechnology.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The study was published in the journal Joule on September 11, 2026. www.electricaltechnology.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] After 1,000 hours of simulated immersion, the cells retained 99.58% of their initial performance. www.electricaltechnology.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Laboratory testing showed a small 0.0895-cm² cell reached 34.71% power-conversion efficiency. www.electricaltechnology.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] A two-hour field test was conducted near the Weizhou Islands off the southern coast of mainland China. es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The team utilized wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells rather than conventional silicon to better capture blue-green wavelengths. www.electricaltechnology.org · es.euronews.com · it.euronews.com