Installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems is on a dramatic rise in recent years. This has attracted researchers' attention around the world to examine PV efficiency and integration issues. In the literature, many studies were found on analyzing PV systems in specific regions; however none of them focused on Queensland, Australia. In this paper, PV array performance in Brisbane is investigated by utilizing the yearlong recorded data from the PV systems at the University of Queensland (UQ). The theoretical model has good agreement with the field measurement in terms of per unit representation established in this study. Therefore, this validated theoretical model is applied to estimate PV system performance with different tilt angles and orientations. This study will not only provide invaluable information and tools for Australian PV industries and electricity utilities, but also offer helpful methodologies to PV applications in other countries. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.