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In this paper, an attempt of performance evaluation of semitransparent and opaque photovoltaic (PV) modules of different generation solar cells, having the maximum efficiencies reported in the literature at standard test conditions (STC), has been carried out particularly for the months of January and June. The outdoor performance is also evaluated for the commercially available semitransparent and opaque PV modules. Annual electrical energy, capitalized cost, annualized uniform cost (unacost), and cost per unit electrical energy for both types of solar modules, namely, semitransparent and opaque have also been computed along with their characteristics curves. Semitransparent PV modules have shown higher efficiencies compared to the opaque ones. Calculations show that for the PV modules made in laboratory, CdTe exhibits the maximum annual electrical energy generation resulting into minimum cost per unit electrical energy, whereas a-Si/nc-Si possesses the maximum annual electrical energy generation giving minimum cost per unit electrical energy when commercially available solar modules are concerned. CIGS has shown the lowest capitalized cost over all other PV technologies.

Authenticity of conventional circuit model, to interpret the characteristics of polymer solar cells (PSCs) is examined. Conventional circuit model is found to be quite limited, and various assumptions used there are not valid for PSCs. By understanding the nature of photovoltaic characteristics, through detailed investigations, we developed an improved circuit model, which explains correctly the behavior of PSCs under different environmental conditions. Investigations are carried out on the solar cells, made of the blend of regioregular poly(3‐hexylethiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl [6,6] C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The model is developed by treating both the dark and illuminated characteristics separately, even the characteristics were dealt with separately in reverse and forward biases. The formulated equivalent circuit model helps us in explaining many other important features, observed in the characteristics of PSCs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.