Shockley–Queisser limit

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In physics, the radiative efficiency limit (also known as the detailed balance limit, Shockley–Queisser limit, Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit or SQ limit) is the maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar cell using a single p–n junction to collect power from the cell where the only loss mechanism is radiative recombination in the solar cell. It was first calculated by William Shockley and Hans-Joachim Queisser at Shockley Semiconductor in 1961, giving a maximum efficiency of 30% at 1.1 eV. The limit is one of the most fundamental to solar energy production with photovoltaic cells, and is one of the field's most important contributions. This first calculation used the 6000K black-body spectrum as an approximation to the solar spectrum. Subsequent calculations have used measured global solar spectra, AM 1.5, and included a back surface mirror which increases the maximum solar conversion efficiency to 33.16% for a single-junction solar cell with a bandgap of 1.34 eV. That is, of all...

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