Photovoltaic panels are actually very well suited for the ocean because they are very easy to waterproof and because space is not a big issue. Solar arrays are presently a popular choice for providing power to surface buoys, but much of the energy also penetrates beneath the surface. There are great benefits to having devices that do not sit at the surface of the ocean. They are spared from the harshest wrath of passing storm wind and waves. They are unlikely to be hit by boats or get tangled in floating kelp. And they are covert, not visible to the general public or the opportunistic vandal.
The “Mola” is our proof-of-concept unmanned research vehicle named after a popular fish found off the coast of Southern California. Here we see the Mola demonstrating controlled underwater swimming via an off-the shelf solar panel converted with some clever flapping propulsion and control surfaces into a underwater vehicle. We configure the control surfaces so it continually dives as deep as it can absorb light. There are no batteries, the propulsion is entirely from underwater light.
The Mola is ballasted so it never surfaces. Its submerged panels were capable of converting up to 5% of the solar energy hitting the surface of the ocean, and that power delivery decreased linearly through the top 20 meters of the water column. Furthermore, amorphous silica, the least expensive and most durable semiconductor material, performed as well as or better than more expensive materials.
Post time: Jul-13-2017