Theoretical limits of photovoltaics efficiency and possible improvements by intuitive approaches learned from photosynthesis and quantum coherence

Fahhad H. Alharbi; Sabre Kais

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101

Theoretical limits of photovoltaics efficiency and possible improvements by intuitive approaches learned from photosynthesis and quantum coherence

Fahhad H. Alharbi^*, Sabre Kais

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

206 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this review, we present and discussed the main trends in photovoltaics (PV) with emphasize on the conversion efficiency limits. The theoretical limits of various photovoltaics device concepts are presented and analyzed using a flexible detailed balance model where more discussion emphasize is toward the losses. Also, few lessons from nature and other fields to improve the conversion efficiency in photovoltaics are presented and discussed. From photosynthesis, the perfect exciton transport in photosynthetic complexes can be utilized for PV. Also, we present some lessons learned from other fields like recombination suppression by quantum coherence. For example, the coupling in photosynthetic reaction centers is used to suppress recombination in photocells.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1073-1089
Number of pages	17
Journal	Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Volume	43
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101
State	Published - Mar 2015
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Keywords

Non-conventional solar cell
Photosynthesis
Quantum coherence
Shockley and Queisser limit
Solar cell efficiency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101

Cite this

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title = "Theoretical limits of photovoltaics efficiency and possible improvements by intuitive approaches learned from photosynthesis and quantum coherence",

abstract = "In this review, we present and discussed the main trends in photovoltaics (PV) with emphasize on the conversion efficiency limits. The theoretical limits of various photovoltaics device concepts are presented and analyzed using a flexible detailed balance model where more discussion emphasize is toward the losses. Also, few lessons from nature and other fields to improve the conversion efficiency in photovoltaics are presented and discussed. From photosynthesis, the perfect exciton transport in photosynthetic complexes can be utilized for PV. Also, we present some lessons learned from other fields like recombination suppression by quantum coherence. For example, the coupling in photosynthetic reaction centers is used to suppress recombination in photocells.",

keywords = "Non-conventional solar cell, Photosynthesis, Quantum coherence, Shockley and Queisser limit, Solar cell efficiency",

author = "Alharbi, \{Fahhad H.\} and Sabre Kais",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.",

year = "2015",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101",

language = "English",

volume = "43",

pages = "1073--1089",

journal = "Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews",

issn = "1364-0321",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Theoretical limits of photovoltaics efficiency and possible improvements by intuitive approaches learned from photosynthesis and quantum coherence

AU - Alharbi, Fahhad H.

AU - Kais, Sabre

PY - 2015/3

Y1 - 2015/3

N2 - In this review, we present and discussed the main trends in photovoltaics (PV) with emphasize on the conversion efficiency limits. The theoretical limits of various photovoltaics device concepts are presented and analyzed using a flexible detailed balance model where more discussion emphasize is toward the losses. Also, few lessons from nature and other fields to improve the conversion efficiency in photovoltaics are presented and discussed. From photosynthesis, the perfect exciton transport in photosynthetic complexes can be utilized for PV. Also, we present some lessons learned from other fields like recombination suppression by quantum coherence. For example, the coupling in photosynthetic reaction centers is used to suppress recombination in photocells.

AB - In this review, we present and discussed the main trends in photovoltaics (PV) with emphasize on the conversion efficiency limits. The theoretical limits of various photovoltaics device concepts are presented and analyzed using a flexible detailed balance model where more discussion emphasize is toward the losses. Also, few lessons from nature and other fields to improve the conversion efficiency in photovoltaics are presented and discussed. From photosynthesis, the perfect exciton transport in photosynthetic complexes can be utilized for PV. Also, we present some lessons learned from other fields like recombination suppression by quantum coherence. For example, the coupling in photosynthetic reaction centers is used to suppress recombination in photocells.

KW - Non-conventional solar cell

KW - Photosynthesis

KW - Quantum coherence

KW - Shockley and Queisser limit

KW - Solar cell efficiency

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84919639526

U2 - 10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101

DO - 10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.101

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:84919639526

SN - 1364-0321

VL - 43

SP - 1073

EP - 1089

JO - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

JF - Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

ER -

Theoretical limits of photovoltaics efficiency and possible improvements by intuitive approaches learned from photosynthesis and quantum coherence

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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