Hi,
Solar cells and photodiodes are pretty much the same devices working in different modes. Can I apply an equivalent circuit model on photodiodes too (also in dark condition)? Is the physical interpretations of the various parameters are the same (shunt/series resistance, ideality factor, etc.)?
One important point - solar cells are usually DC. Photodiodes may be used at 10-20 GHz, as high data rate receiver diodes in fibre optics, so choose your model carefully!
I fully agree with Tony Maine. In addition, the response time of a photodiode is very important which is an area dependent. A photodiode is operated the photocurrents @ reverse bias voltages. While a solar cell is operated at positive voltage. The modelling of such two different electronic devices should consider all the differences.
Dear Dor Gotleyb ,
The colleagues gave satisfactory answers. However I would like to add a comment. Basically the two equivalent circuits are the same even one can include the solar cell capacitance in shunt with the junction diode of the solar cell.
But there are some major difference in the operating conditions:
- The solar cells is working in the fourth quadrant, while the photodiode works in the second quadrant.
- The area of the solar cell is much larger than the photodiode and therefore its response will be much slower.
I treated both devices and fully characterized them in the following two papers:
Article A distributed SPICE-model of a solar cell
Conference Paper A comprehensive study of an optical transceiver
Best wishes
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