This paper proposes a novel skewed-type iron slot wedge that can improve both the cogging torque and the output power of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). Generally the open slot structure is adopted in a PMSG due to its convenient winding work, but the high cogging torque is undesired. Firstly, an iron slot wedge was utilized to reduce the cogging torque of an open slot type PMSG. However, the output power of the machine decreased rapidly with this method. Thus, a proposed skewed type iron slot wedge is presented to improve the output power as well as the cogging torque as compared to the open slot type. Shape optimization of the skewed-type iron slot wedge is performed to simultaneously maximize the output power and reduce the cogging torque. The Kriging model based on the Halton sequence method and a genetic algorithm are used to optimize the design.