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A formalism describing the conversion of radiation energy into work can be constructed in terms of energy and entropy fluxes. This leads, among others, to the Landsberg efficiency, a formula expressing an upper bound to photothermal solar energy conversion. The relationship between the above approach and the viewpoint of endoreversible thermodynamics is investigated. An extension to photovoltaic solar energy conversion is formulated. A generalization of the Landsberg formula, for a solar energy converter with arbitrary bandgap, is presented. 3632

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