Optivolt solar panels

[Utahsailor]

Today's PV Magazine (daily.magazine@pv-magazine.com) describes a new solar panel that is up to 25x more efficient when shaded than a standard panel.The company is Optivolt (optivolt.com) and their web site is pretty sparse, but any system that works would be optimum for boats (not one of their listed potential uses). The PV magazine article has more info than their website and it is accessible with a google search. Our Beneteau 49 with 4 panels had wide power output variations from shading and we learned to "solar tack" on the hook to minimize shading by the boom.