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Alas, I came across a reference that said that all thin film solar (which includes amorphous), tends to degrade after exposure to sun + time (no I'm not making this up) by about 15%-35% depending on the type/manufacturing details. This doesn't even include the possibility of the plastic on top yellowing. Or breakage from flexing. This would seem to wipe out any additional performance flexible, amorphous might have over the crystaline variety. Too bad. It does seem like thin film panels are the future of the solar market since they have the *potential* to be manufactured much cheaper; although the best new developments there seem to be focusing on the utility and home markets. It might be a long time before something more useful to sailboats makes it to the market. I think I'm going to focus on wind/water power for this season and think some more about the best place to mount some rigid panels on my boat.
wind_magic, I do love the idea of panels glassed into the deck and think there is a definite future there. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
nickmerc, Thanks for confirming what I am learning. Seems like rigid is the only way to go. I haven't seen any thin film rigid panels that would make sense for boats, are you aware of any?
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