Photovoltaic module

Abstract

A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic element having an upper surface, an encapsulant resin layer over the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, a cover plate, and a decorative overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element. 
     
     
         22 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 21 , wherein the decorative overlay is positioned outside the cover plate. 
     
     
         23 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 21 , wherein the decorative overlay is positioned under the cover plate. 
     
     
         24 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 21 , wherein the decorative overlay is embedded in the encapsulant resin layer. 
     
     
         25 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 21 , wherein the decorative overlay simulates the appearance of a conventional roofing shingle surface. 
     
     
         26 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 21 , wherein the decorative overlay comprises a coating layer including a binder and at least one pigment. 
     
     
         27 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 26 , wherein the at least one pigment is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, nanoparticle titanium dioxide, Cl Pigment Black 31, Cl Pigment Black 32, Cl Pigment Red 122, and Cl Pigment Yellow 13. 
     
     
         28 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 21 , wherein the overlay comprises a film material. 
     
     
         29 . A photovoltaic material according to  claim 28 , wherein the film material includes a carrier and at least one pigment. 
     
     
         30 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 28 , wherein the film material includes a decorative layer on the surface of the film. 
     
     
         31 . A photovoltaic module according to  claim 30 , wherein the decorative layer is formed by a halftone printing process. 
     
     
         32 . A process for producing a decorative photovoltaic module comprising:
 providing a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor stack encapsulated in a resin and covered with a top plate, and   adhering an overlay film bearing a decorative pattern to the top plate using an adhesive material.   
     
     
         33 . A process for producing a decorative photovoltaic module comprising:
 providing a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor stack encapsulated in a layer of an resin,   adhering an overlay film bearing a decorative pattern to the layer of resin, and   adhering a top plate to the overlay film using an adhesive material.   
     
     
         34 . The process of  claim 33 , wherein the decorative pattern further includes an ink on at least a first portion of the top plate and an opaque ink on at least a second portion of the top plate. 
     
     
         35 . The process of  claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of the top plate is free of the ink. 
     
     
         36 . The process of  claim 32 , wherein the decorative photovoltaic module is incorporated into a roofing cover. 
     
     
         37 . The process of  claim 33 , wherein the decorative photovoltaic module is incorporated into a roofing cover. 
     
     
         38 . The process of  claim 34 , wherein the decorative photovoltaic module is incorporated into a roofing cover. 
     
     
         39 . A roofing cover comprising the photovoltaic module of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         40 . A roofing cover comprising the photovoltaic module produced according to the process of  claim 33 .