Approximate analytical solutions for solar cell current-voltage characteristics: A four-diode model with two novel approaches

Abstract

In the available literature, there are three basic solar cell models—the Single Diode Model (SDM), Double Diode Model (DDM), and Triple Diode Model (TDM). Recently, the Four-Diode Model (FDM) has been introduced to further improve the representation of recombination and loss processes in solar cells. However, this model has not been analyzed from the perspective of analytical modeling of the current–voltage (I-V) characteristics. In this study, two approximate analytical models are proposed to describe the I-V characteristics of solar cells using the Lambert W function. To ensure accurate and efficient parameter estimation, advanced optimization techniques have been applied. A comprehensive evaluation of the proposed modeling approaches and the employed optimization methods demonstrates their effectiveness, leading to significant improvements in parameter accuracy, with enhancements exceeding 50% in certain cases. Furthermore, the proposed solutions have been tested on solar cells based on different fabrication technologies and under extreme operating conditions, confirming their robustness and broad applicability. Additionally, to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approximate solutions of the FDM model, experimental results measured on solar panels installed on the building of the Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics in Niš, Serbia, were also analyzed. These findings contribute to the advancement of analytical solar cell modeling, offering more precise and computationally efficient methods for both research and practical applications.