Which phenomenon limits the efficiency of photovoltaic cells when high-energy photons strike the silicon?

💡 Explanation

When high-energy photons strike silicon, they excite electrons to higher energy levels, but rather than producing current, Auger recombination can occur where the excess energy is transferred to another electron, which then loses energy as heat. Therefore Auger recombination limits efficiency, rather than heating, interference, or tunneling which depend on different material properties or construction.

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