Evolution of the physical parameters of photovoltaic generators as a function of temperature and irradiance: New method of prediction based on the manufacturer’s datasheet

Abstract

The characterization of photovoltaic generators with acceptable accuracy require the use of suitable experimental devices and appropriate methods. In this study, the used I-V curve tracer (Amiry et al. 2018) [1] allows to collect a current- voltage characteristic of a hundred (I, V) points under real operating conditions. Each (I, V) point is taking in one millisecond. A new method for extracting physical parameters of solar cell single diode model is presented. It allows for the prediction of an I-V characteristic without recourse to any approximation. It is based on considering the current-voltage values (I, V) at short-circuit point (ISC, 0), maximum power point (Im, Vm) and open circuit point (0, VOC) provided by the manufacturer. In addition, the current and voltage temperature coefficients KIm and KVm respectively at maximum power point are estimated independently using two explicit equations associated with two simplified models. The simulation of I-V curves built based on extracted physical parameters depending on temperature allows for making equations that introduce coefficients and allow for approximate description of their behavior depending on temperature. These coefficients form a new basis for technical datasheets to predict the performance of photovoltaic generators according to their operating temperatures. The irradiance effect has been taken into account by introducing specific terms depending on G in these equations. The accuracy of this developed approach is assessed by comparing the experimental characteristics with those plotted using extracted physical parameters values by implemented method and those obtained by other extraction methods reported in the literature.