Analytical derivation of and simulation on current voltage characteristics equation of a solar cell

Abstract

A quantitative approach was employed with the aim of reviewing and elucidating the development of Current Density-Voltage (J-V) characteristics of solar cell with a single dominant current transport from transport and continuity equation involving drift and diffusion terms with the application of Fermi-Dirac statistical distribution. A number of assumptions were made on unidirectional flow of minority- current carrier outside and within the depletion layer. The simulations of saturation current density with forward bias voltage and diode factors show similar curves but with increase in total current densities with a lower diode factor. Temperature increment was however found not to favour the increase of the current density. Suggestions were also given on experimental works on the photovoltaic cell based on the simulations.

Keywords: current density, recombination, diffusion, concentration

Nigeria Journal of Pure and Applied Physics Vol. 4(1) 2005: 54-59