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The ideal solar cell conversion efficiency limit known as theShockley-Queisser (SQ) limit, which is based on a detailed balance betweenabsorption and radiation, has long been a target for solar cell researchers.While the theory for this limit uses several assumptions, the requirements inreal devices have not been discussed fully. Given the current situation inwhich research-level cell efficiencies are approaching the SQ limit, aquantitative argument with regard to these requirements is worthwhile in termsof understanding of the remaining loss mechanisms in current devices and thedevice characteristics of solar cells that are operating outside the detailedbalance conditions. Here we examine two basic assumptions: (1) that thephoto-generated carriers lose their kinetic energy via phonon emission in amoment (fast thermalization), and (2) that the photo-generated carriers areextracted into carrier reservoirs in a moment (fast extraction). Using a modelthat accounts for the carrier relaxation and extraction dynamics, wereformulate the nonequilibrium theory for solar cells in a manner that coversboth the equilibrium and nonequilibrium regimes. Using a simple planar solarcell as an example, we address the parameter regime in terms of the carrierextraction time and then consider where the conventional SQ theory applies andwhat could happen outside the applicable range.

Nonequilibrium theory of the conversion-efficiency limit of solar cells including thermalization and extraction of carriers