A solar cell can be modeled by an equivalent electrical circuit. The simplest model includes a current source representing the photogenerated current ([latex]I_L[/latex]), in parallel with a diode representing the p-n junction. A more accurate model adds a parallel shunt resistance ([latex]R_{sh}[/latex]) for leakage currents and a series resistance ([latex]R_s[/latex]) for contact and bulk material resistance.

















