When shading is unavoidable Guardian option Solbianflex SX panels can be offered with a modified cells topology. Thanks to the way Day4EnergyTM solar cells are electrically connected, a larger number of bypass diodes can be integrated in the panel. The result is a panel that is far less sensitive to shading, a clear advantage in all kind of installations but especially on sailing boats, where shadows are unavoidable. In a standard cell layout, where bypass diodes can be inserted any two strings (columns) of cells, the typical configuration consists of two or three bypass diodes, in the Guardian layout instead, five, seven or even nine diodes can be inserted. Standard layout: SX 176 Q - 36 cells 3 diodes In red the path of the current Guardian layout: SX 176 G - 36 cells 7 diodes In red the path of the current Guardian SX models Length (mm) Peak Power Rated Voltage (V) (W)

The result of an increased number of diodes is striking. While a single shaded cell can halve the power of a regular panel, the same shadowing affects much less a Guardian, which can lose as low as one ninth of its power. SHADING TRIALS: ONE SHADED CELL Guardian Layout Power (unshaded) Power (shaded) Power loss 176 W (red curve) 111 W (blue points) 176 W (red curve) 142 W (blue points) SHADING TRIALS: THREE SHADED CELLS Guardian Layout Power (unshaded) Power (shaded) Power loss 176 W (red curve) 41 W (blue points) 176 W (red curve) 102 W (blue points) Dark grey cells are the shaded ones. Light...