Experimental validation of PV power output prediction models

Despite the existence of a wide range of photovoltaic (PV) performance models, these can be improved in order to increase their accuracy and applicability, making investment decisions and system sizing an easier task. This work presents the one diode and five parameters model, properly framed with the basic physical concepts, and develops a method of parameters' determination based only on PV cell datasheet information. The results are compared with those given by the well known one diode and three parameters model and a validation using experimental data is done. In a first approach an I-V curve validation is analyzed and in a second phase it is studied the model performance in terms of delivered power as compared with the results obtained in a test experimental facility. In general, the results for both validations are good, but a slightly prevalence of the five parameters model is observed. This allows one to conclude that, in most cases, reality is modeled with a satisfactory accuracy for the most common applications.