For photons striking a solar cell, what limits the maximum theoretical efficiency if the photon has excessive energy?
Answer
The extra energy is lost as heat.
Photons with excessive energy will free an electron, but the surplus energy above the material's band gap is subsequently lost as heat, limiting efficiency.
Related Questions
What particle is primarily relevant for generating usable electricity in solar panels on Earth?The photovoltaic effect relies on the interaction between incoming photons and what material within a solar cell?Approximately how long is the journey for solar photons traveling from the Sun to Earth?What is the solar ejection known as solar wind overwhelmingly composed of near Earth?What structure primarily deflects the stream of charged particles making up the solar wind around Earth?What visible phenomenon results from charged solar wind particles being channeled toward the magnetic poles?Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) are typically generated by which intense solar events?For photons striking a solar cell, what limits the maximum theoretical efficiency if the photon has excessive energy?How quickly can the highly hazardous Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) reach Earth following a related solar flare?What distinguishes Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) from Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) regarding their origin?Which particle outflow type is described as relatively 'cool' plasma in terms of speed compared to SEPs?