Perovskite Solar Cells First Demonstrated Functioning Underwater at 10 Meters

Researchers from Yunnan University and Southwest United Graduate School in Kunming achieved the first practical demonstration of perovskite solar cells operating at 10 meters water depth in the South

Researchers from Yunnan University and Southwest United Graduate School in Kunming conducted the first practical demonstration of perovskite solar cells functioning at 10 meters water depth in the South China Sea. The cells generated 324 mWh of electricity over two hours of underwater illumination during field testing at Weizhou Islands using underwater robots. They employed lead halide perovskite solar cells with a 1.96 eV bandgap, achieving 34.71% power conversion efficiency under simulated 10-meter depth conditions in laboratory tests. The cells showed no degradation after 1,160 hours of accelerated testing at 10 meters depth and have a predicted operational lifespan of 5.5 years at 25°C water temperature.

This represents the first demonstration of perovskite solar cells operating beyond 2 meters of water depth, with the research published in Joule. The output is sufficient only for charging small lithium-ion batteries and powering minimal LED loads, limiting immediate practical applications.

For underwater energy systems requiring minimal power—such as remote sensors or small-scale monitoring equipment in stable 25°C environments—this advancement provides a viable, durable energy source. It moves the possibility of autonomous underwater energy harvesting closer to reality for niche applications where traditional power sources are impractical.

Next steps include validating performance in wider temperature ranges and scaling for real-world deployment. Current limitations mean this technology remains confined to specific underwater environments with precise thermal conditions, not mainstream energy solutions.

Source: pv magazine