Does non-reciprocity break the Shockley–Queisser limit in single-junction solar cells?

Abstract

The efficiency of single-junction solar cells is bounded by the Shockley–Queisser limit of 41%. However, standard derivation for this limit constrains the system to be reciprocal, and what non-reciprocity can bring for single-junction solar cells remains yet to be clarified. Here, we prove that even with non-reciprocity, the ultimate efficiency of single-junction solar cells is still subject to the Shockley–Queisser limit. We show that the Shockley–Queisser limit does not rely on the detailed balance, but rather is a consequence of the integrated balance between the absorption and emission processes, as required by the second law of thermodynamics.