Do Solar Panels Work Underwater?

Some of the very first solar panels were used in space to power satellites. The Nimbus, launched in 1964, was the first satellite to run entirely on solar. Today solar panels have a wider application from powering small handheld devices to supplying power to entire communities.

Today we want to explore some of the environments in which you can use solar. Can you use solar panels underwater for instance?

The short answer is yes, solar panels can work while submerged underwater.

But how does a solar panel create electricity underwater? And do solar panels work in deep space? These are the questions we will explore in this article.

Are Most Solar Panels Waterproof?

All solar panels are waterproofed to prevent water from seeping in and damaging the solar cells and electronics. Solar panels are designed to function outside where they are exposed to rain, snow, hail, and extreme heat.

The two main electrical components in a solar panel are solar cells and wiring. The solar cells convert sunlight into electricity while the wiring carries the electricity from the solar cells to your appliances. The solar cells and wiring are encased in glass at the front, a polymer back sheet to cover the back, and an aluminum frame in a watertight seal to protect them from coming into contact with any fluid.

If a solar panel is not waterproof then that means it has a defect in which case you are protected under the equipment warranty of the solar panel. All solar panels have two main warranties given by the manufacturer.

The first is a performance warranty in terms of which the manufacturer guarantees a minimum level of performance of the solar panel. The second is the equipment warranty in terms of which the manufacturer guarantees against there being any material defects in the solar panel.

If a solar panel becomes damaged as a result of water leaking in and coming into contact with the solar cells or wiring, you should have the solar panel replaced at no cost or the cost of shipping to you. (Source)

Also, find out more on ” Do Solar Panels Work with Snow on Them?” & “Do Solar Panels Work on Rainy Days? How To Protect Them!“

Can a Solar Panel Be Submerged in Water?

A solar panel can be submerged in water because it is waterproof. Solar panels are designed to work in wet conditions. As they are outdoor equipment, solar panels are made with watertight seals to prevent moisture damage from rain, hail, or snow.

Not only can a solar panel be submerged in water without any risk of damaging it, but you can also use the solar panel while it is underwater. But how do you produce electricity without short-circuiting the solar panel?

Also find out “Will A Solar Panel Work Through Clear Plastic? Why Cover Solar Panels!“

Do Solar Panels Work Underwater Subnautica?

Solar panels produce electricity underwater. Solar panels will work but at a reduced capacity, when submerged in water. They will not work as efficiently and subsequently produce as much electricity as a solar panel above water.

The critical function of a solar cell is the absorption of light. If a solar cell can absorb light, it can convert that light into electricity. That is why solar panels can work behind glass, on cloudy days, and yes, even underwater.

What type of solar panels are used underwater?

Silicon solar cells are the most dominantly used solar cell technology for both commercial and residential applications. This is because they have the highest efficiency of any commercially available solar panels. That is why 90% of the solar panel market is monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon.

Traditional silicon solar cells suffer from efficiency losses when submerged in water. This is primarily because of:

1. Silicon solar cells have a narrow band gap. The band gap of a solar cell is the spectrum of light it can absorb to produce energy. Silicon cells absorb mostly visible light, some infrared, and a tiny portion of ultraviolet. Water also absorbs light so less light reaches a solar panel when it is underwater.
2. The clearer the water the higher the efficiency. If the water is murky there is less light for the solar panel to absorb to produce energy.

These two factors are the primary ones that work against the efficiency of a solar panel underwater. That being said, solar panels can produce energy up to a depth of 50 meters below the surface.

The deeper you go into the water, the narrower the spectrum of available light gets. At depths of more than 2 meters, infrared disappears. This is why in some studies of solar panel performance underwater, amorphous silicon cells coated with a substance called polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS was used. (Source)

Amorphous silicon cells have a wider band gap which allows them to perform better than crystalline silicon under low light. The PDMS is a waterproofing solution that also improves the absorption of the solar panel. Amorphous silicon has demonstrated better performance when submerged in water as a result.

How Do You Use Solar Panels Underwater?

There are several uses for solar panels underwater including submersible devices and powering deep-sea underwater vehicles. Solar panels can even be installed in your swimming pool. They could be used to power the heating and filtration system of a swimming pool and even to provide more energy for a residential home where space is at a premium.

The limitations of silicon solar panels underwater

Much of the visible light and infrared is scattered or absorbed by water before it gets to silicon-based solar panels. The narrow band gap of silicon solar panels also reduces their electrical output. At present solar cells used underwater have a maximum efficiency of between 55 to 65%. (Source)

It’s for this reason that there is ongoing research into organic solar panels that have a wider band gap to produce solar panels that work better in the low-light environment underwater. (Source)

Do Solar Panels Work in Deep Space?

Solar panels work in space. Some space satellites like the Vanguard I are solar-powered. The International Space Station is also solar-powered. Space-based solar produces more energy than terrestrial solar panels.

There is ongoing research to harness solar energy in space and beam it down to Earth. Currently, the front-runners of space-based solar technologies are microwave transmitting satellites and laser transmitting satellites. Find out more in our post Do Solar Panels Work Better in Space? (Space-Based Solar System!)

Both these technologies, if made possible could produce enough energy to power a major U.S city without taking up an enormous amount of land to do so.