A combined scheme for maximising the output power of a Photovoltaic array under partial shading conditions

•MS-EC and IE algorithms have been merged to rearrange and divide 6×6 TCT PV array into sub-arrays, and then equalise the solar irradiance levels over their rows.•SP-DPP converters has been utilised to perform current and voltage balancing in the array.•Model-based control scheme is designed for DPP converters to achieve an accurate MPP tracking; hence, the derived model for the converters is experimentally verified.•Simulation results validate the efficacy of the combined array scheme system under PSCs.•The proposed scheme proves its ability to optimise the output power of the array system and shows power improvements of 11 – 48% compared to the traditional TCT structure.