  The observed open circuit voltages in best performing solar cells are
explained outside of the recombination paradigm, based on such factors as
electrostatic screening, Meyer-Neldel effect, and lateral nonuniformities. The
underlying concept of suppressed recombination presents a long neglected
alternative pathway to efficient PV. The criterion of suppressed recombination
is consistent with the data for best performing solar cells. Also, consistent
with the observations, is the open circuit voltage deficit that exhibits a
lower bound of about $0.2-0.3$ V, does not correlate well with the optical gap,
and shows a significant dispersion for materials possessing the same gap
values.
