According to an example, in a method for producing a photovoltaic element with stabilised efficiency, a silicon substrate may be provided with an emitter layer and electrical contacts, which may be subjected to a stabilisation treatment step. Hydrogen from a hydrogenated silicon nitride layer may be introduced into the silicon substrate, for example, within a zone of maximum temperature. The silicon substrate may then be cooled rapidly in a zone in order to avoid hydrogen effusion. The silicon substrate may then be maintained, for example in a zone within a temperature range of from 230° C. to 450° C. for a period of, for example, at least 10 seconds. The previously introduced hydrogen may thereby assume an advantageous bond state. At the same time or subsequently, a regeneration may be carried out by generating excess minority charge carriers in the substrate at a temperature of at least 90° C., preferably at least 230° C.