In this paper, on the basis of studying mathematical models of photovoltaic (PV) generation system, a novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control method with variable weather parameters is proposed. In this method, the key technologies are finding out the relationship between variable weather parameters and control signal at the maximum power point (MPP) and finding out a way to track the MPP quickly. Through using this proposed method, the MPP can be successfully reached by measuring the solar irradiance and the output voltage and temperature of solar cell. As such, the MPPT control efficiency is raised and the hardware cost of measurement circuits is reduced. Finally, simulated experiments show that this control method can accurately implement the MPP tracking of PV generation system and can have better transient-state performance than conventional P&O method. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.