| CPC H02J 1/102 (2013.01) [H02J 3/06 (2013.01); H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02J 3/466 (2020.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02M 5/02 (2013.01); H02M 7/42 (2013.01); G05F 1/67 (2013.01); H02J 3/38 (2013.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); H02J 2300/26 (2020.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A system comprising:
a first string portion comprising a first group of power sources that are directly connected to each other in series;
a second string portion connected in series to the first string portion, the second string portion comprising:
a plurality of devices that are serially connected, and
a second group of power sources,
wherein each device of the plurality of devices is coupled to:
a respective power source of the second group of power sources, and
a respective adjacent device of the plurality of devices, and
wherein each device of the plurality of devices comprises:
a switch;
a communication circuit configured to receive one or more signals; and
a controller configured to operate the device in one of a first mode or in a second mode, based on the one or more signals received via the communication circuit, wherein the controller is further configured to:
in the first mode, disconnect the respective power source of the second group of power sources from the first group of power sources by controlling the switch to be in a first state, and
in the second mode, connect the respective power source of the second group of power sources to the first group of power sources by controlling the switch to be in a second state.
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