Photovoltaic module assembly

Abstract

A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising: a first layer; a back layer, wherein the back layer comprises a second layer, a third layer, and a support layer located between the second layer and the third layer; and a photovoltaic layer comprising photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic layer is located between the first layer and the back layer; wherein the support layer comprises a stiffening element.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising:
 a first layer;   a polymeric back layer, wherein the back layer comprises a polymeric second layer, a polymeric third layer, and a polymeric support layer located between the second layer and the third layer; and   a photovoltaic layer comprising photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic layer is located between the first layer and the back layer;   wherein the support layer comprises stiffening elements that define openings that extend in a y direction that is perpendicular to a length of the first layer.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a vertical stiffening element, a horizontal stiffening element, a diagonal stiffening element, or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a honeycomb array, a triangular array, an R6 array, a hexakis array, or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises openings, wherein the openings are filled. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support layer has a thickness of 1 to 35 mm, and wherein a thickness of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer is each independently 0.5 to 25 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic module has an increased stiffness and/or an increased flexural strength as compared to a photovoltaic module that does not comprise the support layer. 
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each independently comprise a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, or a combination comprising one or both of the foregoing. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises poly(methyl methacrylate) and is free from a coating. 
     
     
         10 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer and/or the third layer comprise an acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, a polycarbonate-acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, poly(phenylene oxide), polypropylene, or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         11 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises poly(methyl methacrylate) and the second layer and/or the third layer comprise an acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. 
     
     
         12 . A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising:
 a first layer;   a polymeric back layer, wherein the back layer comprises a polymeric second layer, a polymeric third layer, and a polymeric support layer located between the second layer and the third layer, wherein the support layer comprises stiffening elements that define openings that extend in a y direction that is perpendicular to a length of the first layer;   a photovoltaic layer comprising photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic layer is located between the first layer and the back layer; and   a connector that connects the first layer to the second layer; wherein the connector comprises an acrylic foam tape or an acetate foam tape and/or is laser welded to the second layer; wherein the connector has at least one of an adhesive strength of greater than or equal to 0.1 MPa as determined in accordance with ISO 4587-1979 or an elongation at break of greater than or equal to 50% measured in accordance with ISO 4587-1979.   
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer has one or both of a haze level of 0% to 6% when measured at a thickness of 5.0 mm or a transparency of greater than or equal to 80 as measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00, Procedure A or Procedure B, using lamp D65. 
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer and/or the third layer is opaque. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is white. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the third layer is black. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic layer further comprises a cured composition. 
     
     
         18 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic layer has a thickness of 0.5 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic assembly meets at least one of the requirements as set forth in Paragraph 10.11 of IEC 61215 Edition 2, 2005, the requirements as set forth in Paragraph 10.12 of IEC 61215 Edition 2, 2005, or the requirements as set forth in Paragraph 10.13 of IEC 61215 Edition 2, 2005. 
     
     
         20 . A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising:
 a first layer;   a polymeric back layer, wherein the back layer comprises a polymeric second layer, a polymeric third layer, and a polymeric support layer located between the second layer and the third layer; and   a photovoltaic layer comprising photovoltaic cells, wherein the photovoltaic layer is located between the first layer and the back layer;   wherein the support layer comprises stiffening elements that define openings that extend in a y direction that is perpendicular to a length of the first layer; and   wherein a surface of the third layer opposite the second layer comprises texturing, fins, ribs, baffles, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing and wherein a surface of the first layer opposite the second layer comprises texturing.