Influence of series resistance on the photocurrent analysis of organic solar cells

The series resistance of a bulk heterojunction solar cell diode affects the measurement of the voltage dependence of the diode photocurrent, P(V). An empirical model for the effect is described and shows that P(V) can be significantly modified, particularly at high bias voltages. Experimental measurements on PCDTBT:PCBM solar cells with added series resistance demonstrate the effect and confirm the model. The model provides a method to correct the photoconductivity data using measured quantities. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.