Comparative Prediction of Single and Double Diode Parameters for Solar Cell Models with firefly Algorithm

Due to the non-linearity of current-voltage of solar cell model, the conventional methods are incapable to extract the parameters of solar cell with high accuracy. The implicit non-linear equation describing the single and double diodes solar cell in five and seven parameters is rewritten as optimization problems with constraint functions and it is solved by using a firefly algorithm optimization. The firefly algorithm is a nature-inspired stochastic optimization algorithm, and able to solve modern global optimization for nonlinear and complex system, based on the flashing patterns and behavior of firefly's swarm. Moreover, this paper develops a unique solar cell modelling approach that incorporates search and optimization techniques for the determination of equivalent circuit parameters of RTC France Company mono-crystalline silicon solar cell single and double diodes at 33 degrees C and 1000W/m(2) from experimental current-voltage. The statistical errors are used to verify the accuracy of the results. Finally, accuracy of the extracted parameters is verified by comparing the current-voltage curve generated from simulation with those provided by determined experimentally and with different recent algorithms.