Photovoltaic module and laminate

Abstract

A photovoltaic module has a first side directed toward the sun during normal operation and a second, lower side. The photovoltaic module comprises a perimeter frame and a photovoltaic laminate at least partially enclosed by and supported by the perimeter frame. The photovoltaic laminate comprises a transparent cover layer positioned toward the first side of the photovoltaic module, an upper encapsulant layer beneath and adhering to the cover layer, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells beneath the upper encapsulant layer, the photovoltaic solar cells electrically interconnected, a lower encapsulant layer beneath the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, the upper and lower encapsulant layers enclosing the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, and a homogenous rear environmental protection layer, the rear environmental protection layer adhering to the lower encapsulant layer, the rear environmental protection layer exposed to the ambient environment on the second side of the photovoltaic module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photovoltaic laminate comprising:
 a transparent cover layer positioned toward a front side of a photovoltaic module, the front side being directed towards the sun during normal operation;   an upper encapsulant layer under the transparent cover layer;   a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells under the upper encapsulant layer;   a lower encapsulant layer under the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, the upper and lower encapsulant layers enclosing the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells; and   a back layer under the lower encapsulant layer, the back layer comprising glass.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the glass has a white color. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 2 , wherein the glass also has at least one other color. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the lower encapsulant layer has a volume resistivity of at least 5×10 13  ohm-cm at 50 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the lower encapsulant layer has a white color. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the lower encapsulant layer is at least partially composed of a polyethylene. 
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the lower encapsulant layer is at least partially composed of polyolefin. 
     
     
         8 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells comprise back contact solar cells. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the lower encapsulant layer has a thickness of less than 650 micrometers. 
     
     
         10 . The photovoltaic module of  claim 1 , wherein the cover layer comprises an anti-reflective coating. 
     
     
         11 . A photovoltaic laminate comprising:
 a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, each of the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells having an upper side facing the sun during normal operation and a lower side facing away from the sun;   an encapsulant layer surrounding and enclosing the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, the encapsulant layer extending between gaps in the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells;   a transparent cover layer disposed above the upper side of the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells and atop the encapsulant layer, the encapsulant layer adhering to the cover layer; and   a mono-stratum sealing layer below the lower side of the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells and beneath the encapsulant layer, the encapsulant layer adhering to the mono-stratum sealing layer along an inner surface and having an outer surface exposed to the ambient environment, the mono-stratum sealing layer comprising glass.   
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 11 , wherein the glass has a white color. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 12 , wherein the glass also has a black color. 
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 11 , wherein the encapsulant layer has a volume resistivity greater than 5×10 13  at 50° Celsius. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 11 , wherein the encapsulant layer and sealing layer combine to permit less than 10 micro-amperes of electrical current to flow between the lower side of the plurality of solar cells and the outer surface when the electrical potential difference between the lower side of the plurality of solar cells and the outer surface is at least 1,000 volts. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 11 , further comprising a bonding layer between the sealing layer and the encapsulant layer. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells comprises back contact solar cells. 
     
     
         18 . A photovoltaic laminate comprising comprising:
 a transparent top cover;   a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells under the transparent top cover;   an encapsulant surrounding and encapsulating the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells; and   a sealing layer under the encapsulant, the sealing layer comprising glass.   
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 18 , wherein the glass has a white color. 
     
     
         20 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 19 , wherein the glass also has another color.