Computational time quantification of the single diode PV models

A range of photovoltaic (PV) models of different accuracy and complexity are available in the literature. The proper PV model for a particular study is selected based on the desired accuracy and computational time. Although the accuracy of the single diode models is well studied, there is still no available quantification for the computational time needed to simulate a certain PV model. This paper studies the computational time of the single diode models and derives empirical formulas quantifying the computational time needed to model PV arrays. This will enable users to calculate the expected simulation time for running their simulation. The results of this paper will help PV researchers and designers select the suitable PV model for simulating a specific PV system.