Mathematical model to estimate the maximum power output of a total cross tied connected PV array during partial shading condition

Estimation of the output power of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system during partial shading condition (PSC) is an interest of PV installers. Owing to the inclusion of a bypass diode, the occurrence of local and global maximum peak creates more difficulty in the calculation of maximum power output from a PV array. In this study, a mathematical model is established to estimate the percentage of degradation of a square total cross tied (TCT) connected PV array at different PSCs. By employing the proposed algorithm, it will be easier to estimate the maximum power point of a $m \times n$mxn ($m = n$m=n) TCT connected PV array during PSC without using any measuring instrument except for the measurement of irradiance and temperature. A better correlation is obtained when the output of the proposed model is compared with MATLAB simulated output. The output of the proposed model is compared with the experimental output performed on an array comprises of 3 W PV modules and the comparison shows the satisfactory result.