The aim of this work is to analyse the performance of different photovoltaic water pumping systems. The Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) data from four distinct Algerian climatic sites are used: Algiers, Bechar, Oran and Tamanrasset. The study has been carried out for three different profiles, three tank capacities, two PV modules types, two PV array configurations and several pumping heads, applied to two centrifugal pumps. To predict the photovoltaic pumping system performance, it is necessary to use a simulation program, because it takes into account the different parameters of the system and its geographic location. The determination of the best couple generator configuration-pump for a given installation site and a daily load profile is easily obtained by the simulation program.