A lighting system control device charging system and method including a control device charged from a light source in a lighting system, including control photovoltaic cell 28 responsive to control light 46 from the light source and generating control charging power 44; a capacitor storing the control charging power 44 and generating control supply power 42; and a control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 powered by control supply power 42 and generating a communications signal 40 to the lighting system. The control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 monitors charge state of the capacitor and directs the lighting system to increase the control light 46 when the charge state is below a low charge setpoint.