SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE PHYSICS AND DESIGN

188 CHAPTER 4. JUNCTIONS IN SEMICONDUCTORS:P-NDIODES

p n

RL

Isc

ID

I = Isc-ID

G

RL

Isc

ID I = Isc-ID

VIRD L=

Figure 4.26: Equivalent circuit of a solar cell

the short circuit current,Isc. The forward voltage increases the forward thermionic/diffusion
currents exponentially as given by the diode law whereas the reverse current remains a constant
with the net current being given by

J·A=I=If−Ir=Is

[

exp

(

eV

kBT

)

− 1

]

−Isc (4.8.11)