This paper presents a novel model of photovoltaic (PV) module which is implemented and analyzed using Matlab/Simulink software package. Taking the effect of sunlight irradiance on the cell temperature, the proposed model takes ambient temperature as reference input and uses the solar Insolation as a unique varying parameter The cell temperature is then explicitly affected by the sunlight intensity The output current and power characteristics are simulated and analyzed using the proposed PV model The model verification has been confirmed through an experimental measurement The Impact of solar irradiation on cell temperature makes the output characteristic more practical In addition, the Insolation-oriented PV model enables the dynamics of PV power system to be analyzed and optimized more easily by applying the environmental parameters of ambient temperature and solar irradiance (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.