The present study develops a simple non-destructive method to measure the solar cell junction temperature of PV module. The PV module was put in the environmental chamber with precise temperature control to keep the solar PV module as well as the cell junction in thermal equilibrium with the chamber. The open-circuit voltage of PV module V(oc) is then measured using a short pulse of solar irradiation provided by a solar simulator. Repeating the measurements at different environment temperature (40-80 degrees C) and solar irradiation S (200-1000 W/m(2)), the correlation between the open-circuit voltage V(oc), the junction temperature T(j), and solar irradiation S is derived. The fundamental correlation of the PV module is utilized for on-site monitoring of solar cell junction temperature using the measured V(oc) and S at a short time instant with open circuit. The junction temperature T(j) is then determined using the measured S and V(oc) through the fundamental correlation. The outdoor test results show that the junction temperature measured using the present method, T(jo), is more accurate. The maximum error using the average surface temperature T(ave) as the junction temperature is 4.8 degrees C underestimation; while the maximum error using the present method is 1.3 degrees C underestimation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.