journal article·2025-08-24Open access

Review of I–V Electrical Characterization Techniques for Photovoltaic Modules Under Real Installation Conditions

Lawan Sani, Abdoul-Baki Tchakpedeou, Kossi Tepe, Yendoubé Lare, Saidou Madougou

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 17

Abstract

The exploitation and development of photovoltaic (PV) modules faces several technical challenges, including those related to variability in electrical performance under real conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, irradiance variability, and dust accumulation. One solution for evaluating and controlling these performances is to conduct electrical characterization under natural conditions. Many characterization techniques have been developed and proposed in the literature, with the aim of verifying manufacturer performance guarantees and better understanding the behavior of PV modules in their installation environment, where the climatic parameters, such as solar irradiation and temperature, fluctuate constantly. These techniques are based on recognized standards, including those established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). They are also based on methods of transposing basic electrical parameters, allowing the prediction of the performance of modules under various environmental conditions. In this work, a classification and a critical analysis of the main methods of electrical characterization were undertaken, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The experimental protocols used to evaluate the impact of environmental parameters on the performance of PV modules were examined in detail.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Silicon and Solar Cell Technologies · Integrated Circuits and Semiconductor Failure Analysis · Semiconductor materials and interfaces

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Regional Center of Excellence for Electricity Management (CERME), University of Lomé, Lomé 01 BP 1515, Togo

Department of Renewable Energies–DER, University Institute of Technology–IUT, University of Agadez–UAZ, Agadez BP 119, Niger

Materials, Renewable Energy and Environment Laboratory, University of Kara, Kara BP 404, Togo

Solar Energy Laboratory (LES), Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences (FDS), Lomé 01 BP 1515, Togo

Laboratory of Energy, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Automatic and Industrial Computing (L3EA2I), Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology-FAST-DP, Abdou Moumouni University-UAM, Niamey BP 10 963, Niger

Funding

Credit IDA 6512-TG

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