Power supply having low standby power consumption

A method for reducing standby power consumption, the method comprising:

• receiving power, from a control unit power source, at a control unit;
• receiving load detection data;
• based on the load detection data, determining whether a load is present or absent without using a resistor;
• causing, via the control unit, a load power source to switch on and discharge electricity to the load upon determining the load is present;
• and
• causing, via the control unit, the load power source to switch off upon determining the load is absent,
• wherein the control unit power source comprises one or more photovoltaic drivers including a first photovoltaic driver and a second photovoltaic driver mounted in an anti-parallel configuration to generate power for the control unit.

A system comprising:

• a load power source;
• a switch;
• a load detector;
• and
• a control unit having at least one microprocessor and computer storage memory, wherein the computer storage memory has computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one microprocessor, cause the at least one microprocessor to:
• control the switch;
• and
• switch off the load power source upon detection, by using the load detector, of an absence of a load;
• and
• a control unit power source powering the control unit, the control unit power source comprising:
• at least one photovoltaic driver including at least two photovoltaic drivers mounted in an antiparallel configuration;
• and
• at least one rectifier component that receives current output from the at least one photovoltaic driver.