A solar cell model for use in optical modeling of concentrating multijunction photovoltaic systems

Using embedded solar cell models in optical modeling programs has proven to be very useful for system level design optimization. These models can be used to provide quick analysis of the performance of high efficiency multijunction concentrator photovoltaic systems. They can be designed to predict the performance of the experimentally measured cells or detailed numerical models. A previous modeling approach employed by the authors used a simple empirical diode model, which limited the range of short circuit currents to a small range for which the model was valid. To more accurately model high efficiency photovoltaic systems over a wider range of short circuit currents, a new empirical curve fit model has been developed that allows model parameters to vary as a function of the short circuit current.