Impact of External Electric Field on the Performance Parameters of PV Solar Cells under High Light Concentration

Abstract

The performance of a photovoltaic solar cell depends on a number of external and internal factors. It then appears imperative that investigations be carried out to identify the factors favourable or unfavourable to the proper operation of the photovoltaic cell. It is in this context that we study the influence of an external variable electric field on the electric parameters of a photovoltaic solar cell under light concentration of 50 suns. After the presentation of the model of a photovoltaic solar cell used in our study and formulated the assumptions, we have established the expressions of electric parameters as function of the external electric field E0. Then, by using numerical simulation with MATCAD software, we plotted the curves of electric parameters versus the external electric field. From analysis of the curves, it appears that the short-circuit photocurrent density, electric power, fill factor and conversion efficiency increases with the increase in the intensity of the external electric field. On the other hand, it appears a drop in open circuit photovoltage and series resistance with the increase in the intensity of the external electric field.