Non-iterative methods for the extraction of the single-diode model parameters of photovoltaic modules: a review and comparative assessment

The extraction of the photovoltaic (PV) model parameters remains to this day a long-standing and popular research topic. Numerous methods are available in the literature, widely differing in accuracy, complexity, applicability, and their very nature. This paper focuses on the class of non-iterative parameter extraction methods and is limited to the single-diode PV model. These approaches consist of a few straightforward calculation steps that do not involve iterations; they are generally simple and easy to implement but exhibit moderate accuracy. Seventeen such methods are reviewed, implemented, and evaluated on a dataset of more than one million measured I-V curves of six different PV technologies provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL). A comprehensive comparative assessment takes place to evaluate these alternatives in terms of accuracy, robustness, calculation cost, and applicability to different PV technologies. For the first time, the irregularities found in the extracted parameters (negative or complex values) and the execution failures of these methods are recorded and are used as an assessment criterion. This comprehensive and up-to-date literature review will serve as a useful tool for researchers and engineers in selecting the appropriate parameter extraction method for their application.