A photovoltaic (PV) module sub-circuit for an energy generation system includes a plurality of PV sub-modules coupled together via external cables, the plurality of PV sub-modules includes a first PV sub-module and a second PV sub-module, a negative output terminal coupled to the first PV sub-module, a positive output terminal coupled to the second PV sub-module, and a plurality of connectors external to the PV sub-modules and coupling the PV sub-modules together to form the PV module sub-circuit. The sub-circuit further includes a bypass mechanism including a first terminal coupled to only the negative output terminal and the first PV sub-module, and a second terminal coupled to only the positive output terminal and the second PV sub-module, the bypass mechanism configured to prevent current flow in a first direction and allow current flow in a second direction opposite of the first direction.