Patent ID: 7557291

Claim:
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 (i) a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells disposed in a matrix, a space comprising an area where at least two cells are absent from said matrix being disposed on said photovoltaic layer, and (ii) electrical circuitry disposed on said space created by absence of said cells, said electrical circuitry being disposed on the same side of the module as the matrix of 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 plastic-clad metal 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.