A Fast and Accurate Single-Diode Model for Photovoltaic Design

The precise extraction of the I-V curve of photovoltaic (PV) cells is necessary for designing an efficient PV system. To achieve this, this article examines different models to investigate the best fit for the I - V curve of a PV solar module. Those models are based on using different sets of equations and assumptions. New PV single-diode models are then proposed which consist of the Lambert W-function, iterative loop, and approximate equations. Furthermore, a substitution method is proposed to reduce the complexity that emerges when using the Newtown-Raphson method to solve a set of nonlinear equations. Those processes allow solving the complex nonlinear PV model in a simple way, thus making the proposed model fast, straightforward, and easy solution.