This letter presents an approach based on differential evolution (DE) algorithm for determining the solar cell model parameters from current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The validity of this approach has been confirmed with experimental and simulated I-V data. It was demonstrated that the I-V curve derived from the parameters extracted by the DE approach is in good agreement with the experimental or simulated I-V data. A low objective function value as well as a high parameter precision can be obtained by the DE algorithm.