Theoretical efficiency limit and realistic losses of indoor organic and perovskite photovoltaics [Invited]

Indoor organic and perovskite photovoltaics(PVs)have been attracting great interest in recent years.The theoretical limit of indoor PVs has been calculated based on the detailed balance method developed by Shockley–Queisser.However,realistic losses of the organic and perovskite PVs under indoor illumination are to be understood for further efficiency improvement.In this work,the efficiency limit of indoor PVs is calculated to 55.33%under indoor illumination(2700 K,1000 lux)when the bandgap(E_(g))of the semiconductor is 1.77 eV.The efficiency limit was obtained on the basis of assuming 100%photovoltaic external quantum efficiency(EQ_(EPV))when E≥E_(g),there was no nonradiative recombination,and there were no resistance losses.In reality,the maximum EQEPV reported in the literature is 0.80–0.90.The proportion of radiative recombination in realistic devices is only 10^(−5)–10^(−2),which causes the open-circuit voltage loss(ΔV_(loss))of 0.12–0.3 V.The fill factor(FF)of the indoor PVs is sensitive to the shunt resistance(R_(sh)).The realistic losses of EQE_(PV),nonradiative recombination,and resistance cause the large efficiency gap between the realistic values(excellent perovskite indoor PV,32.4%;superior organic indoor PV,30.2%)and the theoretical limit of 55.33%.In reality,it is feasible to reach the efficiency of 47.4%at 1.77 eV for organic and perovskite photovoltaics under indoor light(1000 lux,2700 K)with V_(OC)=1.299 V,J_(SC)=125.33μA/cm^(2),and FF=0.903 when EQE_(PV)=0.9,EQE_(EL)=10^(−1),R_(s)=0.5Ωcm^(2),and R_(sh)=10^(4) kΩcm^(2).

Capacity Scaling Limits and New Advancements in Optical Transmission Systems

Optical transmission technologies have gone through several generations of development.Spectral efficiency has significant ly improved,and industry has begun to search for an answer to a basic question：What are the fundamental linear and nonlin ear signal channel limitations of the Shannon theory when there is no compensation in an optical fiber transmission system？Next-generation technologies should exceed the 100G transmis sion capability of coherent systems in order to approach the Shannon limit.Spectral efficiency first needs to be improved be fore overall transmission capability can be improved.The means to improve spectral efficiency include more complex modulation formats and channel encoding/decoding algorithms,prefiltering with multisymbol detection,optical OFDM and Ny quist WDM multicarrier technologies,and nonlinearity compen sation.With further optimization,these technologies will most likely be incorporated into beyond-100G optical transport sys tems to meet bandwidth demand.

Possible top cells for next-generation Si-based tandem solar cells

Si-based solar cells,which have the advantages of high efficiency,low manufacturing costs,and outstanding stability,are dominant in the photovoltaic market.Currently,state-of-the-art Si-based solar cells are approaching the practical limit of efficiency.Constructing Si-based tandem solar cells is one available pathway to break the theoretical efficiency limit of single-junction silicon solar cells.Various top cells have been explored recently in the construction of Si-based tandem devices.Nevertheless,many challenges still stand in the way of extensive commercial application of Si-based tandem solar cells.Herein,we summarize the recent progress of representative Si-based tandem solar cells with different top cells,such as III-V solar cells,wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells,cadmium telluride(CdTe)-related solar cells,Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2(CIGS)-related solar cells,and amorphous silicon(a-Si)solar cells,and we analyze the main bottlenecks for their next steps of development.Subsequently,we suggest several potential candidate top cells for Si-based tandem devices,such as Sb2S3,Se,CdSe,and Cu2O.These materials have great potential for the development of high-performance and low-cost Si-based tandem solar cells in the future.