China's 10‑Metre‑Deep Submarine Solar Farm Generates Power in Open Sea Test
On June 12, 2024, a team from the Shanghai Institute of Ocean Technology lowered an 8‑square‑metre perovskite solar panel to a depth of ten metres in the East China Sea near Zhoushan. The panel produced a steady 15 watts of electricity for six continuous hours, despite the salty environment and low light conditions. This experiment marks the first time a solar‑powered system has been operated underwater for a practical duration. The result could reshape how submarines, research vessels, and offshore platforms are powered.
What the Test Entailed
According to an account to Xinhua News Agency, the experiment was carried out on June 12, 2024, from a research vessel anchored 3 nautical miles off the coast of Zhoushan Archipelago. Engineers deployed a flexible perovskite photovoltaic sheet measuring 2 m × 4 m onto a custom‑designed buoyancy frame that kept the panel level at exactly 10 metres below the surface. The array was connected to a sealed lithium‑ion battery pack housed in a pressure‑resistant enclosure, allowing the stored energy to be measured in real time. Over the six‑hour observation window, the panel generated an average of 15 watts, enough to power a small autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for a short transit. A small LED indicator on the surface buoy flashed green each time the system logged a successful power pulse, providing a visual confirmation for the crew. The test was supervised by Dr. Li Wei, senior researcher at the institute, who noted that the perovskite cells retained over 85 % of their efficiency after exposure to seawater for the duration of the trial.
Why It Matters
The successful demonstration addresses a long‑standing challenge in marine engineering: supplying clean, reliable energy to submerged platforms without surfacing for fuel or battery swaps. Traditional submarine power relies on diesel generators or nuclear reactors, both of which have logistical, environmental, and safety drawbacks. A solar‑driven solution could reduce the need for frequent refueling, lower acoustic signatures, and diminish carbon emissions associated with marine operations.
For commercial fisheries and offshore aquaculture, the technology could enable low‑cost power for sensor networks that monitor water quality, temperature, and stock movements. These networks often run on batteries that require periodic replacement, a costly and labor‑intensive process. A solar‑powered node could extend operational life from months to years, translating into measurable savings for small‑scale operators.
In the defense sector, quieter AUVs powered by solar energy could conduct longer surveillance missions without the noise and heat signatures of conventional propulsion. This could alter the tactical calculus for navies that depend on stealth. While the current output of 15 watts is modest, scaling the array to larger surfaces could support more power‑hungry payloads, including sonar, communication relays, and even limited propulsion.
Perovskite cells actually become slightly more efficient underwater because the cooler temperatures reduce thermal losses, contradicting the common belief that water always blocks solar power.
