The effects of atmospheric parameters on the global solar irradiance and on the current of a silicon solar cell

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper we present the influence of each atmospheric parameter on the global solar spectral irradiance and also show how the short‐circuit current of a conventional Si solar cell. These results and the presented method are useful for analysing the outdoor performance of Si photovoltaic (PV) devices. For this reason we present a set of equations that can help to correct the short‐circuit current of the cell, in relation to the US standard atmosphere, when outdoor measurements are made. the method used is to simulate the global spectral solar irradiance under cloudless skies, using a set of equations selected from the literature, and the spectral short‐circuit current density of the silicon cell. the influence of atmospheric parameters on the solar cell current is known using the ratio of solar cell current density to global solar irradiance. We conclude that the atmospheric parameters (air mass, precipitable water amount, Angström's turbidity coefficient and aerosol particle size distribution) produce significant variation on Si cell short‐circuit current. We suggest taking account of them when studying the performance of PV devices under outdoor conditions.