Protective layers for a glass barrier in a photovoltaic device

1. A photovoltaic device, comprising:

at least one photovoltaic cell;

a flexible glass layer formed over a top surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell;

a first layer of a transparent planarizing hardcoat formed directly on a first major surface of the glass layer, wherein the first major surface faces away from the at least one photovoltaic cell;

a second layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat formed directly on a second major surface of the glass layer, wherein the second major surface faces toward the at least one photovoltaic cell, such that the glass layer and the photovoltaic cell are separated by the second layer of the planarizing hardcoat; and

a transparent and abrasion resistant film comprising an organic-inorganic hybrid material formed on the first layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat on the first major surface of the glass layer and on the second layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat on the second major surface of the glass layer;

wherein the first and the second layers of the transparent planarizing hardcoat are in compressive stress and the glass layer is in tension; and

wherein the transparent and abrasion resistant film is further formed directly on at least two minor opposing surfaces of the glass layer.

2. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein the glass layer has a thickness of 50-500 μm.

3. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein the hardcoat has a thickness of 0.1-5 μm.

4. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein the hardcoat is harder than the glass.

5. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein the hardcoat comprises a moisture barrier.

6. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic device is flexible and is rolled up in a roll.

7. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein a material comprising the hardcoat is selected from silsequioxane, silicon oxide formed from perhyodropolysilazane, aluminum phosphate, silicates, or alumina.

8. The photovoltaic device of claim 1 , wherein the hardcoat prevents damage to the surface of the glass layer and prevents crack propagation.

9. A method of making a photovoltaic device, comprising:

providing at least one photovoltaic cell;

forming a flexible glass layer over a top surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell, wherein the flexible glass layer has a first layer and a second layer of a transparent planarizing hardcoat, wherein:

the first layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat is formed directly on a first major surface of the flexible glass layer;

the second layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat layer is formed directly on a second major surface of the flexible glass layer; and

the first major surface faces away from the at least one photovoltaic cell and the second major surface faces toward the at least one photovoltaic cell such that the flexible glass layer and the photovoltaic cell are separated by the second layer of the planarizing hardcoat;

wherein the first and the second layers of the transparent planarizing hardcoat are in compressive stress and the flexible glass layer is in tension; and

forming a transparent and abrasion resistant film comprising an organic-inorganic hybrid material on the first layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat, on the second layer of the transparent planarizing hardcoat, and directly on at least two minor opposing surfaces of the flexible glass layer.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the glass layer has a thickness of 50-500 μm.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hardcoat planarizing has a thickness of 0.1-5 μm.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hardcoat is harder than the glass.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hardcoat comprises a moisture barrier.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising rolling the photovoltaic device into a roll.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein a material comprising the hardcoat is selected from silsequioxane, silicon oxide formed from perhyodropolysilazane, aluminum phosphate, silicates, or alumina.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the hardcoat in compression prevents damage to the surface of the glass layer and prevents crack propagation.