In this paper, a comprehensive modeling and parameters extraction method is proposed to describe the current-voltage and power-voltage characteristic of photovoltaic cells. This method is based on data commonly issued by commercial photovoltaic data sheet. By using Lambert W function, the improved model of solar cells is given. Meanwhile, the current-voltage and power-voltage curves of photovoltaic cells are calculated. To extract the model parameters from only three state points at standard test conditions, an optimized approach using iterative method and approximate method is presented. Compared to the popular R-p model and experimental data, the proposed method shows excellent agreement between the current-voltages points. It is found that the proposed modeling and parameters extraction method has less error at the maximum power point state. Moreover, the proposed model is more realistic when subjected to ideality factors variations. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.