Analytical solution for solar cell model parameters from illuminated current-voltage characteristics

Abstract An improved analytical approach is introduced to calculate the solar cell parameters based on the lumped single exponential model. The main feature of this approach is that the diode junction ideality factor has been considered as an output characteristic dependent parameter under illuminated conditions. By using the experimental data of Charles, Abdelkrim, Muoy and Mialhe and Chan and Phang for five solar cells, the parameters are calculated and compared with the results of the analytical methods suggested either by Phang, Chan and Phillips or Kishore. The meaningless negative series resistance, caused by the assumption of a constant diode ideality factor along the entire current-voltage curve, can be avoided by the present analytical method.