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Analysis of institutional authors

Cubas, JavierCorresponding AuthorPindado, SantiagoAuthor

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Article

Explicit Expressions for Solar Panel Equivalent Circuit Parameters Based on Analytical Formulation and the Lambert W-Function

Publicated to:Energies. 7 (7): 4098-4115 - 2014-07-01 7(7), DOI: 10.3390/en7074098

Authors: Cubas, Javier; Pindado, Santiago; de Manuel, Carlos

Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid, Inst Univ Microgravedad Ignacio Da Riva IDR, ETSIAE, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

Due to the high dependence of photovoltaic energy efficiency on environmental conditions (temperature, irradiation...), it is quite important to perform some analysis focusing on the characteristics of photovoltaic devices in order to optimize energy production, even for small-scale users. The use of equivalent circuits is the preferred option to analyze solar cells/panels performance. However, the aforementioned small-scale users rarely have the equipment or expertise to perform large testing/calculation campaigns, the only information available for them being the manufacturer datasheet. The solution to this problem is the development of new and simple methods to define equivalent circuits able to reproduce the behavior of the panel for any working condition, from a very small amount of information. In the present work a direct and completely explicit method to extract solar cell parameters from the manufacturer datasheet is presented and tested. This method is based on analytical formulation which includes the use of the Lambert W-function to turn the series resistor equation explicit. The presented method is used to analyze commercial solar panel performance (i. e., the current-voltage-I-V-curve) at different levels of irradiation and temperature. The analysis performed is based only on the information included in the manufacturer's datasheet.

Keywords

AnalyticalCellsCurrent-voltage characteristicsEquivalent circuitExtractionLambert w-functionMaximum power point tracking (mppt)ModelParametersParasitic resistancesPerformancePhotovoltaic energyPhotovoltaic modulesPhysicsSimulationSingle-diode

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Energies due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2014, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations provided by WoS (ESI, Clarivate), it yields a value for the citation normalization relative to the expected citation rate of: 2.69. This indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Weighted Average of Normalized Impact by the Scopus agency: 7.15 (source consulted: FECYT Feb 2024)
  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 18.92 (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-11, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 138
  • Scopus: 173
  • Google Scholar: 301
  • OpenCitations: 153

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-11:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 286 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/30393/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 747
  • Downloads: 369

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (CUBAS CANO, JAVIER) and Last Author (de Manuel, Carlos).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been CUBAS CANO, JAVIER.