Abstract: A device for protecting against arcing events solar array panels and control equipment supplying a main power bus is provided. The control equipment comprises a regulator for controlling a solar array voltage (Vs) and includes a power dump stage for shunting the solar array voltage as a function of a control signal. The device comprises a voltage drop detection circuit for generating a voltage drop detection signal (VD) when a voltage drop is detected in the solar array voltage (Vs), and an arc-quenching circuit comprising a system for generating an output signal (Vo) which is applied as the control signal to the power dump stage so as to shunt the solar array voltage (Vs) when a voltage drop is detected by the voltage drop detection circuit.

Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy for a power supply bus connected to a load. The device includes an electrical energy storage unit having at least one battery, a solar energy generator presenting a plurality of modules, a regulator for controlling discharging of the storage unit to power the bus, and for each module, a three-state control device. The device also includes a control unit causing the control devices to take up one of their three states. Each three-state control device has a first state in which current from the module powers the bus, a second state in which current from module powers the storage unit, and a third state in which the module is short-circuited.