A metaheuristic algorithm is proposed to describe the characteristics of solar cell. The I-V characteristics of solar cell present double nonlinearity in the presence of exponential and in the five parameters. Since, these parameters are unknown, it is important to predict these parameters for accurate modelling of I-V and P-V curves of solar cell. Moreover, firefly algorithm has attracted the intention to optimize the non-linear and complex systems, based on the flashing patterns and behaviour of firefly’s swarm. Besides, the proposed constrained objective function is derived from the current-voltage curve. Using the experimental current and voltage of commercial RTC France Company mono-crystalline silicon solar cell single diode at 33°C and 1000W/m² to predict the unknown parameters. The statistical errors are calculated to verify the accuracy of the results. The obtained results are compared with experimental data and other reported meta-heuristic optimization algorithms. In the end, the theoretical results confirm the validity and reliability of firefly algorithm in estimation the optimal parameters of the solar cell.