This paper presents a new maximum power point tracking method based on the current voltage characteristic of photovoltaic arrays. The new approach is not only capable to track the maximum power point like the conventional methods under uniform insolation conditions, but also capable to find the global maximum power point efficiently and rapidly under partially shaded conditions. The proposed algorithm could find a new MPP quickly when a sudden change occurs in the insolation level. To verify the performance of the proposed method, several simulations have been carried out in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Experimental investigations have also been performed to confirm the validity of simulation results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.