With the continuous decrease of the cost of solar cells, there is an increasing interest in photovoltaic (PV) system applications. Electric motors powered by solar-cell generators are one of the most important applications, such as in water pumping systems. This paper investigates a photovoltaic-electro mechanic chain, composed of a PV generator, an impedance adapter DC-DC converter, a storage battery and a vector controlled induction machine. The PV generator is forced to operate at its maximum power point by using an appropriate search algorithm, and a balance between battery charge and motor supply is also ensured in all insolation conditions. Simulation results show the effectiveness and feasibility of such an approach. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.