Frontsheets for photovoltaic modules
A roofing system, including a roof deck and a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on the roof deck. Each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, and a frontsheet above the encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a first layer, where the first layer contacts the roof deck, and where the first layer comprises a plurality of cavities or a plurality of ribs.
1 . A roofing system, comprising:
a roof deck; and
a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on the roof deck,
wherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes
at least one solar cell,
an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, and
a frontsheet,
wherein the frontsheet is above the encapsulant,
wherein the frontsheet comprises a first layer, and
wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of cavities, and
a filler material in at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities,
wherein the filler material comprises a fire-retardant material.
2 . The roofing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least one closed cavity.
3 . The roofing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least one open cavity.
4 . The roofing system of claim 1 , wherein the fire-retardant material comprises a liquid.
5 . The roofing system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least two channels extending between opposite ends of the first layer.
6 . The roofing system of claim 5 , wherein the at least two channels extend along a major dimension of the photovoltaic module.
7 . A photovoltaic module, comprising:
at least one solar cell;
an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell;
a frontsheet,
wherein the frontsheet is above the encapsulant,
wherein the frontsheet comprises a first layer, and
wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of cavities; and
a filler material in at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities,
wherein the filler material comprises a fire-retardant material or a phase change material.
8 . The photovoltaic module of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least one closed cavity.
9 . The photovoltaic module of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least one open cavity.
10 . The photovoltaic module of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least two channels extending between opposite ends of the first layer.
11 . The photovoltaic module of claim 10 , wherein the at least two channels extend along a major dimension of the photovoltaic module.
12 . A roofing system, comprising:
a roof deck; and
a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on the roof deck,
wherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes
at least one solar cell,
an encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, and
a frontsheet,
wherein the frontsheet is above the encapsulant,
wherein the frontsheet comprises a first layer, and
wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of cavities, and
a filler material in at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities,
wherein the filler material comprises a phase-change material.
13 . The roofing system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least one closed cavity.
14 . The roofing system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least one open cavity.
15 . The roofing system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises at least two channels extending between opposite ends of the first layer.
16 . The roofing system of claim 15 , wherein the at least two channels extend along a major dimension of the photovoltaic module.
17 . The roofing system of claim 12 , wherein the phase-change material comprises hydrated salts.
18 . The roofing system of claim 17 , wherein the hydrated salts comprises calcium or sodium.