Patent ID: 8361602

Claim:
A multi-layer laminate structure comprising: at least four adjoining layers, the layers comprising: an environmental shield layer including a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and a side surface portion connecting the top and the bottom surface portions and forming a periphery about the environmental shield layer, wherein the environmental shield layer functions as an environmental shield for successive layers; a photovoltaic cell layer including a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and a side surface portion connecting the top and the bottom portions and forming a periphery about the photovoltaic cell, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises one or more photovoltaic cells; an energy activated flowable polymer layer including a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion and a side surface portion connecting the top and the bottom surface portions; and an environmental protection layer including a top surface portion, a bottom surface portion, and a side surface portion connecting the top and the bottom surface portions; wherein the energy activated flowable polymer layer at least is partially bonded to a portion of the side surface portion of the environmental shield layer and the photovoltaic cell layer creating a bead of energy activated flowable polymer about at least the periphery of the environmental shield layer and the photovoltaic cell layer, further wherein the bead has an untrimmed outer surface, and wherein the energy activated flowable polymer is between the bottom surface portion of the photovoltaic cell layer and the top surface portion of the environmental protection layer or is between the bottom surface portion of the environmental shield layer and the top surface portion of the photovoltaic cell layer.