Chapter 3: Electrical characteristics of the solar cell.

        The basic equations of a solar cell are described in this chapter. The dark and illuminated I(V) characteristics are analytically described and Pspice models are introduced firstly for the simplest model, composed of a diode and a current source. The fundamental electric parameters of the solar cell are defined: Short Circuit Current (Isc), Open Circuit Voltage (Voc), Maximum power (Pmax) and Fill Factor (FF). This simple model is then generalized to take into account series and shunt resistive losses and recombination losses. Temperature effects are then introduced and the effect of the space radiation are also studied with a modification of the Pspice model. A behavioral model is introduced which allows the solar cell simulation for arbitrary time profiles of irradiance and temperature.