Maximum power point tracking(MPPT) techniques are used in photovoltaic systems to maximize the PV array output power by tracking continuously the maximum power point which depends on panels temperature and on irradiance conditions. This paper proposes a variable step size MPPT algorithm which can improve the MPPT speed and accuracy. Depending on insolation and temperature, the MPPT controller gives optimized step size. The effectiveness of the proposed system is verified thorough PSIM simulation and experiments on a 50[W] prototype. The experimental results confirm that the PV power of the improved P&O method is higher than that of the traditional P&O method.