Analysis of the current-voltage characteristic of solar cells

Abstract

The parameters for the generation-recombination current and diffusion current of a solar cell including series and shunt resistance are determined experimentally by a new method through applying equal current steps to the cell rather than voltage steps. This allows a simple evaluation of the generation-recombination current term in the presence of a low shunt resistance of the cell. In a second measuring cycle the series resistance and the diffusion current term of the cell are determined in a similar way. The presented method is a relative simple and low-cost analysis and it allows a quick and accurate on-line determination of the parameters of the current-voltage characteristic, especially for silicon solar cells.