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Thermodynamics of photovoltaic energy conversion

Thermodynamics of photovoltaic energy conversion
Thermodynamics of photovoltaic energy conversion
This paper discusses the various attempts to obtain the efficiencies of ideal solar cell by thermodynamic methods. The different methods that are discussed include the Landsberg efficiency which is obtainable from a simple model depicting the solar cell as a heat engine. The Shockley-Queisser detailed balance methods is also outlined briefly. We show that the Shockley solar cell equation implies different types of losses (reversible and irreversible) in different parts of the I-V characteristic. The application of thermodynamics to photovoltaic energy conversion includes also the open circuit voltage which is compared with experiment.
solar cells, photovoltaics, efficiency, thermodynamics
65-68
Markvart, T.
f21e82ec-4e3b-4485-9f27-ffc0102fdf1c
Markvart, T.
f21e82ec-4e3b-4485-9f27-ffc0102fdf1c

Markvart, T. (2004) Thermodynamics of photovoltaic energy conversion. International Workshop on Teaching in Photovoltaics ’04, Prague, Czech Republic. 22 - 23 Apr 2004. pp. 65-68 .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

This paper discusses the various attempts to obtain the efficiencies of ideal solar cell by thermodynamic methods. The different methods that are discussed include the Landsberg efficiency which is obtainable from a simple model depicting the solar cell as a heat engine. The Shockley-Queisser detailed balance methods is also outlined briefly. We show that the Shockley solar cell equation implies different types of losses (reversible and irreversible) in different parts of the I-V characteristic. The application of thermodynamics to photovoltaic energy conversion includes also the open circuit voltage which is compared with experiment.

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More information

Published date: 2004
Additional Information: IWTPV’04
Venue - Dates: International Workshop on Teaching in Photovoltaics ’04, Prague, Czech Republic, 2004-04-22 - 2004-04-23
Keywords: solar cells, photovoltaics, efficiency, thermodynamics

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 22753
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/22753
PURE UUID: 50989227-a233-4581-baad-0e296c3cbf1e

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 30 Mar 2006
Last modified: 22 Jul 2022 20:27

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