Patent ID: 7531740
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: F24S,H01L,H02S,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A photovoltaic module, comprising: an upper transparent layer comprising fluorinated ethylene propylene resin; a photovoltaic layer positioned beneath the upper transparent layer, the photovoltaic layer comprising a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells and an electrical output connector, said photovoltaic cells being disposed in a matrix array with at least two cells being absent from the array to provide room for electrical circuitry, said electrical circuitry being disposed on the same side of the module as the matrix of cells, wherein said electrical circuitry is disposed between at least two of said cells; a first layer of heat-activated transparent adhesive interposed between the upper transparent layer and the photovoltaic layer to adhere the photovoltaic layer to the upper transparent layer; a rigid layer positioned beneath the photovoltaic layer; a second layer of heat-activated transparent adhesive interposed between the photovoltaic layer and the rigid layer to adhere the photovoltaic layer to the rigid layer; a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, the frame positioned to hold edges of the upper transparent layer, the photovoltaic layer and the rigid layer between the upper portion and the lower portion; and an adhesion layer having a first surface attached to an exposed lower surface of the rigid layer and having a second surface for adhering the module to a roofing surface, said adhesion layer having a thickness substantially equal to a thickness of a bottom portion of said frame.