Patent ID: 8593103

Claim:
An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a photovoltaic array, comprising: at least two redundant means of communication adapted for sending and receiving data and commands; a node controller comprising: a bypass relay control line; a first bidirectional port electrically connected to a first of said at least two redundant means of communication; and a second bidirectional port electrically connected to a second of said at least two redundant means of communication; an output terminal; a photovoltaic module output line; and a bypass relay electrically connected to said bypass relay control line, comprising: a first switching state comprising an electrical connection between said photovoltaic module output line and said output terminal; and a second switching state wherein said photovoltaic module output line is electrically disconnected from said output terminal, wherein said node controller is adapted to select said first and second switching states of said bypass relay, and a voltage on said photovoltaic module output line is combined with a voltage on said input terminal when said first switching state is selected.