Physical parameters extraction by a new method using solar cell models with various ideality factors

Abstract

Increasing solar cells efficiency is considered as a critical factor in reducing the production costs of photovoltaic cell manufacturers. Modeling, simulation and design are key tools achievement of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic cell. The efficiency is closely connected to the physical parameters associated with the solar cell model adopted. They represent an essential analysis tool for understanding cell operating. The model with two diodes permits to better take into account the physical processes involved in the solar cell. Nonetheless, in which case both exponential terms included within the characteristic equation make it difficult to numerically manage. In this paper, we developed a numerical method for extracting the physical parameters of solar cell models. Results are compared to those obtained by application of two other classical methods in the case of a single diode model and two diodes model with two constant or various ideality factors. The comparison of results highlight that the two diodes models are more appropriates to describe physical phenomena acting within the solar cell. The proposed technique permits to have a better theoretical curve compatibility with the experimental characteristic (I–V). Furthermore, it requires less computational power.