A simplified flashlamp technique for solar cell series resistance measurements

Abstract It is shown that the effective series resistance of a solar cell can be measured easily and accurately by the following simple technique. Two successive pulses (about 1 ms) of equal intensity from a high intensity flashlamp are used to measure first open-circuit voltage V oc and secondly the voltage V L across a small known series load resistance R L . It is shown that to excellent accuracy the series resistance can then be computed from the formula R s = R L (V oc /V L − 1) . The technique offers the convenience that the cell does not require heat sinking and problems of temperature variation are obviated.