Patent ID: 8039739

Claim:
A device comprising: an individually encapsulated solar cell; wherein the encapsulated solar cell includes at least one protective layer coupled to at least one surface of the solar cell and substantially impedes moisture from entering the solar cell; wherein light passes through the protective layer to reach an absorber layer in the solar cell; wherein the protective layer comprises a multi-layer film having one or more layers of a first material and one or more layers of a second material, wherein the multi-layer film contains randomly located pinholes or gaps at interfaces between layers that define long tortuous pathways that slow water penetration through the multi-layer film; wherein a plurality of particles each sized between about 1 nm to about 10 microns which are contained in the multi-layer film of the protective layer to block tortuous pathways through the protective layer, wherein at least a portion of each of the particles is in contact with one of the layers of the first material or one of the layers of the second material and wherein most of the tortuous pathways are each blocked by at least one of the particles.