Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic (PV) solar array health monitor configured to derive informations relating to the health of a string of PV solar cells. A transmit module 300 switches from a normal mode of operation and to a self-powered monitoring mode of operation and provides a load 318 to the solar cell string. Processor/control logic 308 directs activities of the monitoring process to obtain informations relating to the solar cell string. The informations are converted to a suitable format for transmission at an antenna 336, via a transmitter circuit 316. The transmitted information reflects the health status of the solar cell string.

Abstract: In a multi-cell battery, an open-circuit failure of any one cell renders the entire battery unusable. An automatic electronic bypass switch is connected across each battery cell to provide a low-resistance conductive path around such battery cell should it fail. Contrary to conventional usage in which a fuse is employed to "clear" or "open" a short-circuit condition, the electronic switch of the present invention employs a fuse to activate a highly conductive path, which ideally would approach a short circuit, around an open-circuit condition. The electronic switch includes a field-effect transistor connected across the battery cell and a fuse to hold the field-effect transistor in the "off" condition.