The Shockley-Queisser Limit

The Shockley-Queisser limit defines the maximum efficiency of a single-junction solar cell in converting sunlight into electricity. It considers the fundamental physical factors involved, such as the sun’s energy spectrum and how the solar cell's materials absorb and convert that energy. Essentially, it sets an upper bound—around 33%—on how much sunlight can be transformed into usable electrical power for typical silicon-based cells under ideal conditions. This limit highlights the inherent challenges in solar energy conversion and guides researchers to innovate beyond single-junction designs to achieve higher efficiencies.