In this paper, a method that forces a photovoltaic generator (PVG) to operate at its maximum power point under variable load and insolation conditions is developed. The method is based on closed loop current control, in which the reference current is determined from the fitted function of I-mpp versus P-max, points of a particular PVG. A simplified computer model of the PVG is given and computer simulations for demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm are presented. The method has also been applied using a PC with 10 interface card in the laboratory. From the results of the simulations and experimental studies, it is concluded that the proposed approach can be used as a robust and fast acting maximum power point tracker. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.