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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchA research team led by Wen-Hua Zhang at Yunnan University has developed perovskite solar cells designed for the filtered light found underwater. The cells reached 34.71% power-conversion efficiency under a laboratory-simulated spectrum corresponding to 10 meters underwater—not under ordinary terrestrial sunlight. In an outdoor seawater test near Weizhou Island, a 115 cm² module generated 324 mWh over two hours at 10 meters. These are promising research results, not evidence that underwater solar panels are ready for consumer or long-term ocean use.
Can solar cells work underwater?
Yes. Sunlight penetrates water, although the water absorbs light and changes its spectral composition as depth increases. A solar cell optimized for sunlight above water may therefore be a poor match for the narrower spectrum available below the surface.
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The study, “Submerged solar harvesting with wide-band-gap perovskites for autonomous underwater energy systems,” was published online in Joule on 11 September 2026. The team chose a lead-halide perovskite absorber with an optical bandgap of about 1.96 eV to better suit underwater illumination. Yunnan University identifies Simin Ma and Bing Cai as co-first authors alongside the research team led by Zhang. The paper preview reports the device design and measurements.
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How does the polymer additive affect the perovskite?
The researchers introduced polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) as a crystallization additive. In the study’s account, it improved crystal quality and energy-level alignment, reduced defects and interfacial non-radiative recombination, and suppressed halide-ion migration. The paper also describes a change from p-type to n-type electronic behavior, which supports electron extraction.
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- Perovskite Solar Technology - Advanced photovoltaic material designed to capture more usable energy in low-light environments than traditional silicon panels.
- Built for Energy Harvesting - Ideal for powering or extending battery life in low-power electronics and IoT devices.
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PHMG is part of the experimental material formulation; the paper does not present it as a consumer product or a retrofit for existing solar panels.
What does the reported efficiency mean?
The headline 34.71% figure is the power-conversion efficiency measured under a laboratory-simulated spectrum corresponding to illumination at 10 meters underwater. It is not an efficiency measured under the standard full-spectrum terrestrial sunlight used to evaluate ordinary land-based solar panels. Comparing the two percentages without accounting for their different spectra would be misleading.
| Reported result | Illumination or test condition | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| 34.71% power-conversion efficiency | Laboratory-simulated spectrum corresponding to 10 m underwater illumination | Performance under the study’s underwater-spectrum simulation |
| 16.79% certified power-conversion efficiency | AM 1.5G standard terrestrial illumination | Certified result under a terrestrial test spectrum |
| 17.08% also reported in the paper preview | Listed in the paper’s highlights/summary; distinct from its certified result | Not the certified efficiency figure |
The Joule paper preview reports these figures. For a certified terrestrial result, use 16.79%; the separate 17.08% value appears in the preview’s highlights/summary.
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How much energy did the modules produce in seawater?
The team tested modules outdoors near Weizhou Island in the South China Sea, mounting them with an underwater robot. During two hours of outdoor illumination, the study reports the following energy generation at three depths:
| Depth | Electrical energy generated | Test context |
|---|---|---|
| 2 m | 1,416 mWh | Two hours of outdoor illumination; 115 cm² active area |
| 6 m | 752 mWh | Two hours of outdoor illumination; 115 cm² active area |
| 10 m | 324 mWh | Two hours of outdoor illumination; 115 cm² active area |
At 10 meters, the researchers used the generated electricity to charge lithium-ion batteries and demonstrate an LED. The demonstration shows energy harvesting at the tested site and depths; it does not establish output at other locations, in other sea conditions, or below 10 meters. The outdoor results are reported by the study and summarized by Yunnan University’s release on EurekAlert.
How deep can underwater solar cells work?
This study reports outdoor operation at 2, 6, and 10 meters, with a separate laboratory simulation corresponding to 10-meter underwater illumination. It does not establish a maximum operating depth. The team’s reported results do not show how the system performs beyond 10 meters, where the available light would differ further.
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Wen-Hua Zhang told Yunnan University: “Very few studies have been reported on underwater solar cells, and all of them are focused on very shallow water depths of only two meters or less, a scenario far from catering for requirements of practical application.” The 10-meter test extends the demonstrated depth in this study, but it is not proof of reliable operation at arbitrary ocean depths.
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How long did the cells last in testing?
Under simulated 10-meter underwater conditions, the researchers tracked the cells at maximum power for 1,160 hours and reported no significant degradation. They also estimated a T80 of 48,094 hours—about 5.49 years—at 25°C under simulated 10-meter submerged illumination, based on accelerated aging. T80 is the estimated time for a device to retain 80% of its initial efficiency. It is a projection under the stated test assumptions, not five and a half years of continuous field operation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Could underwater solar cells power sensors?
Potential uses include supplying energy to autonomous underwater equipment, such as sensors and monitoring systems. The study’s battery-charging and LED demonstration supports the possibility of collecting energy and storing it for a modest load. It does not identify a validated commercial sensor, battery model, or deployable product. The perovskite modules described are research prototypes.
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Long-term deployment also involves challenges beyond converting light into electricity. Zhang told Physics World: “The current research focuses on high-efficiency and stable solar cells, as well as the integrated application of photovoltaic energy storage systems. Indeed, biofouling is a critical challenge for the long-term operation of underwater photovoltaics. However, this issue involves multidisciplinary efforts and requires collaborative research from more scientists.”
What remains to be demonstrated?
The evidence combines controlled laboratory measurements with an outdoor seawater demonstration. Those tests answer different questions: a filtered simulator helps measure performance under a defined underwater spectrum, while the in-water trial shows that the modules generated energy at a particular site, at specific depths, and over a limited period.
- Field reliability: The reported outdoor energy test lasted two hours; it does not demonstrate multiyear operation in seawater.
- Biofouling: Growth on submerged surfaces is identified as a challenge for long-term operation.
- Greater depths and varied conditions: Results beyond 10 meters and across other ocean conditions are not established by this study.
- Comparable evaluation: A meaningful comparison with other underwater photovoltaic approaches needs matched information on spectrum, depth, active area, test setting, energy over time, encapsulation, and whether durability was directly measured or extrapolated.
For now, the study is evidence that perovskite cells can be engineered to harvest energy from underwater light and tested in seawater—not that a practical, maintenance-free underwater power system is already available.
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