Thermomechanical model of solar cells

Tom Markvart

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arXiv · 2511.21554

Thermomechanical model of solar cells

Tom Markvart

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Abstract

The paper considers a model for the solar cell as a mechanical open-cycle thermodynamic engine where the chemical potential is produced in an isochoric process corresponding to the thermalization of electron-hole pairs. Expansion of the beam under one-sun illumination and current generation are described as isothermal lost work. More generally, voltage produced in an open cycle process corresponds to availability, leading to a correction to the Shockley-Queisser detailed balance limit.

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Tom Markvart. 2025-11-26. Thermomechanical model of solar cells. https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.21554

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