Bayesian estimation of equivalent circuit parameters of photovoltaic cells

The equivalent circuit model of a photovoltaic cell is useful for understanding device loss mechanisms as well as the design and analysis of systems using photovoltaic cells. Although nonlinear least-squares methods are routinely applied for the extraction of equivalent circuit parameters using current-voltage characteristic curves, they only yield a point estimation sensitive to the initial value and do not provide an estimation error. In this study, a data-driven approach using Bayesian estimation is proposed to extract equivalent circuit parameters. Contrary to the conventional least-squares method, this method does not require tedious initial value adjustments and provides an estimation error.

Automated summary

The equivalent circuit model of a photovoltaic cell is helpful in understanding device loss mechanisms and in designing and analyzing systems that use photovoltaic cells. A data-driven approach using Bayesian estimation is proposed in this study to extract equivalent circuit parameters, which does not require tedious initial value adjustments and provides an estimation error unlike the conventional least-squares method.