What are the issues when using Solar Cells in Ocean Environments?

[elect_eng]

This question would perhaps be an ocean engineering question, but since we don't have a forum for that, I thought mechanical engineers would have some idea about this. My background is electrical engineering, and I have little knowledge about the mechanical issues when operating at the surface in the ocean.

I am wondering how practical it is to use solar power in automomous, ocean-based systems like buoys. In particular, how much effective power can be extracted from a given surface area? Also, I'm wondering what practical issues there are. My questions are not related to the electrical side of things since I have a good idea of the operation and efficiency of solar cells; and, what I don't know, I can readily look up. The things that seem harder for me to figure out are the limitations due to difficulty of facing the cells toward the sun, and the likelyhood of salt-accumulation or bird "stuff" blocking the light. Also, I wonder about stresses in storm conditions, and how a system would survive for extended periods.

Can anyone address some of these issues, or any others issues I may not have thought of? Basically, I'm trying to figure out what net efficiency loss there is when using solar cells on the ocean surface compared to on land; and, for what period of time, the resulting efficiency could be maintained.

 

[MATLABdude]

I believe the following post (in a different thread) is relevant to your interests:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=2219085&postcount=9

 

[mgb_phys]

These guys make some very good ones http://www.carmanah.com/Applications/Marine.aspx
I was talking to one of their engineers at a trade show once about all the work they did to test the panels batteries for that environment.

 

[elect_eng]

Thank you both for the information. The solar powered boat is very interesting and the solar panel information is useful if I get to the point of needing to do my own tests.

I was able to track down one paper (see attachment) that provided some hints about the information I'm searching for. See the section on "Solar Power System" if interested.

Does anyone have any more informaton like this? According to this paper, the use of solar power is very straightforward on an automonous buoy if some basic techniques are used. I'm curious if this is the general consensus, or has anyone experienced serious reliability and efficiency limitations in ocean applications?