A medium voltage direct current (MVDC) power collection system for providing power to a utility grid, wherein the MVDC power collection system comprises: a power collection bus ; and a branch comprising: a collection line coupled to the power collection bus by a first protective device including a first semiconductor switch coupled in parallel with a first surge arrester; and a power converter coupled to the collection line by a second protective device including a second semiconductor switch coupled in parallel with a second surge arrester, and structured to receive low voltage direct current (LVDC) power from an LVDC power source, convert the received LVDC power to MVDC power, and output the MVDC power to the collection line; a DC/AC converter coupled to the power collection bus structured to receive MVDC power from the power collection bus and convert the MVDC power to AC power; and a transformer coupled to the DC/AC converter, the transformer configured to be coupled to a utility grid and structured to receive the AC power, step up the voltage of the AC power, and output the AC power with stepped up voltage to the utility grid; and a collection system controller configured to determine if a first fault condition is occurring at the power converter or the LVDC power source and in response to open the second protective device to isolate the LVDC power source and the power converter from the collection line, and to determine if a second fault condition is occurring at the collection line and in response open the first protective device to isolate the collection line from the power collection bus . a power collection bus ; and a branch comprising: a collection line coupled to the power collection bus by a first protective device including a first semiconductor switch coupled in parallel with a first surge arrester; and a power converter coupled to the collection line by a second protective device including a second semiconductor switch coupled in parallel with a second surge arrester, and structured to receive low voltage direct current (LVDC) power from an LVDC power source, convert the received LVDC power to MVDC power, and output the MVDC power to the collection line; a collection line coupled to the power collection bus by a first protective device including a first semiconductor switch coupled in parallel with a first surge arrester; and a power converter coupled to the collection line by a second protective device including a second semiconductor switch coupled in parallel with a second surge arrester, and structured to receive low voltage direct current (LVDC) power from an LVDC power source, convert the received LVDC power to MVDC power, and output the MVDC power to the collection line; a DC/AC converter coupled to the power collection bus structured to receive MVDC power from the power collection bus and convert the MVDC power to AC power; and a transformer coupled to the DC/AC converter, the transformer configured to be coupled to a utility grid and structured to receive the AC power, step up the voltage of the AC power, and output the AC power with stepped up voltage to the utility grid; and a collection system controller configured to determine if a first fault condition is occurring at the power converter or the LVDC power source and in response to open the second protective device to isolate the LVDC power source and the power converter from the collection line, and to determine if a second fault condition is occurring at the collection line and in response open the first protective device to isolate the collection line from the power collection bus . <EOS>