Photovoltaic module

1. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic element having an upper surface, an encapsulant resin layer over the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, and a decorative overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation wherein the decorative overlay is embedded in the encapsulant resin layer.

2. A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 wherein the decorative overlay simulates the appearance of a conventional roofing shingle surface.

3. A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 wherein the decorative overlay comprises a coating layer including a binder and at least one infrared-transmissive pigment.

4. A photovoltaic module according to claim 3 wherein the at least one infrared-transmissive pigment is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, nanoparticle titanium dioxide, CI Pigment Black 31, CI Pigment Black 32, CI Pigment Red 122, and CI Pigment Yellow 13.

5. A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 wherein the overlay comprises a film material.

6. A photovoltaic material according to claim 5 wherein the film material includes a carrier and at least one infrared-transmissive pigment.

7. A photovoltaic module according to claim 5 wherein the film material includes a decorative layer on the surface of the film.

8. A photovoltaic module according to claim 7 wherein the decorative layer is formed by a halftone printing process.

9. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic element having an upper surface, an encapsulant resin layer over the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, and a decorative overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation wherein the decorative overlay is positioned under the encapsulant resin layer, the decorative overlay comprising a coating layer including a binder and at least one infrared-transmissive pigment.

10. A photovoltaic module according to claim 9 wherein the at least one infrared-transmissive pigment is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, nanoparticle titanium dioxide, CI Pigment Black 31, CI Pigment Black 32, CI Pigment Red 122, and CI Pigment Yellow 13.

11. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic element having an upper surface, an encapsulant resin layer over the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, and a decorative overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation wherein the decorative overlay is positioned under the encapsulant resin layer, the overlay comprising a film material, the film material including a carrier and at least one infrared-transmissive pigment.

12. A process for producing a decorative photovoltaic module comprising:

(a) providing a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor stack encapsulated in an infrared transmissive resin having an upper resin layer, and

(b) printing a decorative pattern on the upper resin layer using an ink selected from the group consisting of opaque inks, infrared transmissive inks and partially transmissive inks.

13. The process of claim 12 , wherein the decorative photovoltaic module is incorporated into a roofing cover.

14. The process of claim 12 , wherein the decorative pattern includes an infrared transmissive ink on at least a first portion of the upper resin layer and an opaque ink on at least a second portion of the upper resin layer.

15. The process of claim 14 , wherein the infrared-transmissive ink includes at least one infrared-transmissive pigment selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, nanoparticle titanium dioxide, CI Pigment Black 31, CI Pigment Black 32, CI Pigment Red 122, and CI Pigment Yellow 13.