Photovoltaic Module Outdoor Characterization by Single Diode Model

Two types of modules, crystalline silicon (c-Si) and Cu(In1-xGax)Se-2 (CIGS), are tested outdoors for extracting temperature-dependent parameters and irradiance-dependent parameters. These parameters are used for a single-diode model to predict and estimate module power and performance in any condition. In the process of extracting parameters from outdoor current-voltage (IV) measurement data, we are able to compare c-Si and CIGS technology characteristics such as open circuit voltage loss as a function of module temperature, shunt current characteristics as a function of irradiance, short circuit current as a function of irradiance and module temperature. The extracted module parameters from outdoor data are in good agreement with indoor measurement data from a flash simulator.