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Optimum efficiency of photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion

Abstract

The performance of photogalvanic cells for the direct conversion of solar energy to electrical energy depends on the cell photochemistry, the homogeneous kinetics, the mass transport, the electrode kinetics and the load on the cell. The variation of the power output with the concentrations of the redox couples, their transport and kinetic parameters and the dimensions of the cell is found. The power conversion efficiency of the optimal cell could be as large as 18% but it is unlikely that all the necessary conditions can be met. A more realistic estimate of the maximum power conversion efficiency that could be achieved from a photogalvanic cell is between 5 and 9%.

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References

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Albery, W., Archer, M. Optimum efficiency of photogalvanic cells for solar energy conversion. Nature 270, 399–402 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270399a0

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