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Modeling of solar cells

Collaborators: D. Kiliani, V. Rutka, T. Kümpflein
Key words: non-linear elliptic PDE, asymptotic analysis, parameter identification

    In order to obtain more detailed information about the serial resistance of a solar cell, the classical two-diode model is enriched with a two-dimensional description of the emitter current. Due to the exponential diode characteristics, the resulting Poisson equation for the voltage distribution has a non-linear source term. Since the emitter voltage can experimentally be deduced from electroluminescence images of solar cells (see picture below), a parameter identification is possible.

    To simplify the numerical treatment, reduced models are derived from the full set of equations using methods from asymptotic analysis.

    Fitting of lateral resistances in silicon solar cells to electroluminescence images
    preprint for the proceedings of the 24th EU PVSEC 2009, Hamburg
    with D. Kiliani, A. Herguth, G. Hahn, V. Rutka

    For a one-dimensional reduced model, existence of classical solutions has been proved and the parameter identification problem from the current-voltage characteristic has been solved.

    Parameteridentifikation in einem Solarzellenmodell
    T. Kümpflein, Bachelor thesis, Universität Konstanz 2009