Researchers from Yunnan University, in collaboration with the Southwest United Graduate School, have successfully developed an innovative underwater solar cell. This cutting-edge device is capable of functioning effectively at depths of up to 10 meters in the South China Sea. This breakthrough overcomes the previous constraints that limited underwater solar energy harvesting to shallow waters, specifically those less than two meters deep. The newly developed solar cell can maintain operation for two hours at a depth of 10 meters, generating a substantial 324 megawatt-hours of electrical energy to recharge lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, it boasts an operational lifespan of approximately 5.5 years at this depth.
The cell's design enables it to absorb light across a broad spectrum, ranging from blue to orange. Remarkably, after being stored for 300 days in a nitrogen-filled glovebox, its efficiency retains about 96% of its original capacity. Furthermore, following a simulated operation at a depth of 10 meters for 1,160 hours, the cell's performance remains virtually unchanged, underscoring its exceptional durability in underwater environments.