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The aim of this dissertation is to conduct performance analysis for the modeling and control practices of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Different modeling techniques of PV systems are considered. The current existing modeling techniques are examined with further study, and the desired operating characteristics are achieved through the proposal of a simplified and accurate modeling process that estimates the PV model parameters for a PV module. This is done by taking a new approach that replaces the typical modeling practice in the literature. The main objective of this new approach is to avoid the need for complex calculation and tedious combination of equations to extract the PV system model parameters. The PV system behavior is studied under different environmental conditions. In addition, most PV system models in the literature have internal parameters that are not provided by the manufacturers. These parameters are not given in the PV module data sheet and require numerical methods for their determination due to the nonlinear nature of the PV system’s output characteristics. This research presents an improved and comprehensive PV system characterization method that relies only on the values provided by the manufacturer. New improvements and modifications to some of the existing PV models are also presented. A control design strategy for control of the power generated by PV systems is suggested to provide effective energy extraction. The controller design ensures tracking of the maximum power point (MPP) for the PV system using a sliding mode control method of self-optimization. It offers fast and accurate convergence to the MPP in steady state and during varying weather conditions. Published research results and discussion are provided. The simulation in this research proposal is carried out using a Matlab/Simulink environment. Experimental verification of the simulated results are included to demonstrate the validity of the proposed controller design.