An explicit J–V model of a solar cell using equivalent rational function form for simple estimation of maximum power point voltage

•J–V characteristics of solar cell.•Rational function form.•Closed form solution of maximum-power-point voltage.

The J–V equation of an illuminated solar cell is implicit and recently it is shown that this equation can be expressed explicitly using rational function considering padé approximants. Here an explicit model for J–V characteristic is proposed using equivalent rational function form having two shape parameters. This model allows a simple closed form estimation of maximum power point voltage. The proposed explicit model is validated using wide variety of solar cells.