A system includes a plurality of power modules connected in series between two input terminals of an inverter, a plurality of local controllers coupled to their respective power modules, wherein a first local controller of the plurality of local controllers is coupled to a first power module comprising a first solar panel, a first capacitor and a first power optimizer, and wherein the first local controller is configured to enable the first power optimizer to switch among a buck mode, a boost mode and a pass-through mode based upon a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) current of the first solar panel, and a central controller coupled to the inverter, wherein the central controller is configured to regulate an input voltage of the inverter.