Method to extract the model parameters of solar cells using the I-V characteristics

Abstract

With the increase in the capacity of photovoltaic generation systems, studies are being actively conducted to improve system efficiency. To develop precise solar cell simulators or design a high-performance photovoltaic generation system, it is important to accurately understand the physical properties of solar cells. However, solar cell models have a nonlinear form with numerous parameters. To obtain accurate parameter values, assumptions that differ from real operating conditions must be made to avoid computational complexity. In this work, we proposed a new method to analyze the experimental current-voltage of the solar cell models, and to the numerically extraction of the intrinsic solar cells parameters (i.e., the ideality factor and the series resistance). The method suggested in the present paper is based on the use of an external variable resistor put in series with the solar cell studied. The validity of these methods is confirmed by its application to current–voltage theoretical and experimental characteristics