Systems and methods to reduce the number and cost of management units of distributed power generators

An apparatus, comprising:

• a combined local management unit, comprising:
• a plurality of direct current converters, each converter of the direct current converters configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel of a plurality of solar panels, wherein direct current outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series to provide power generated by the solar panels;
• and
• a control circuit shared by the direct current converters, the control circuit configured to control separately operations of the direct current converters to extract maximum power from the solar panels;
• wherein the apparatus is configured to be secured to a first solar panel of the plurality of solar panels;
• and second solar panels of the plurality of solar panels are connected to the apparatus via wires to provide input to respective direct current converters.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a combined local management unit, comprising:
• a plurality of direct current converters, each converter of the direct current converters having
• an input configured to be connected to a separate photovoltaic panel of a plurality of photovoltaic panels, and
• a direct current output to provide electrical power generated by the separate photovoltaic panel, wherein outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series in the apparatus;
• and
• a single communications unit coupled between the direct current converters and a system management unit, the system management unit configured to control operations of the direct current converters via communicating with the communications unit.

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of solar panels;
• and
• a combined local management unit (CLMU) connected between the plurality of solar panels and a first output that is configured to provide electrical power generated by the plurality of solar panels, wherein the CLMU comprises:
• a plurality of converters each connected to a respective solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to receive direct current input and to provide a second direct current output, wherein the second direct current outputs from the converters are connected in series to provide the first output;
• a communications unit configured to communicate with a remote management unit separate from the CLMU;
• and
• a controller coupled with the communications unit to control operations of the converters in accordance with communications with the remote management unit;
• wherein the CLMU is secured to a single solar panel of the plurality of solar panels.