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, a cover plate, and a decorative overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, said overlay extending over at least the entire upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation, and at least portions of said overlay extending over the upper surface of the photovoltaic element reflecting or absorbing light in at least a portion of the visible range of the spectrum to produce a desired appearance, wherein the decorative overlay is positioned under the cover plate.

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 roofing cover comprising the photovoltaic module of claim 1 .

10. A process for producing a decorative photovoltaic module comprising: (a) providing a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor stack encapsulated in an infrared transmissive resin and covered with a top plate, and (b) adhering an overlay film bearing a decorative pattern under the top plate using an infrared transmissive adhesive material, wherein the photovoltaic module has a top surface for collecting solar energy and wherein the decorative pattern overlies at least the entire top surface of the photovoltaic module.

11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the decorative photovoltaic module is incorporated into a roofing cover.

12. The process of claim 10 , wherein the decorative photovoltaic module is incorporated into a roofing cover.

13. The process of claim 10 , wherein the decorative pattern includes a pigment that absorbs radiation in the visible range distributed in overlying relation to the top surface of the photovoltaic module.

14. A process for producing a decorative photovoltaic module comprising: (a) providing a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor stack encapsulated in an infrared transmissive resin and covered with a top plate, and (b) printing a decorative pattern on the underside of the top plate using an ink selected from the group consisting of opaque inks, infrared transmissive inks and partially transmissive inks, wherein the photovoltaic module has a top surface for collecting solar energy and wherein the decorative pattern overlies at least the entire top surface of the photovoltaic module.

15. The process of claim 14 , wherein the decorative pattern further includes an infrared transmissive 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.

16. The process of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the top plate is free of the ink.

17. The process of claim 14 , wherein the decorative pattern includes a pigment that absorbs radiation in the visible range distributed in overlying relation to the top surface of the photovoltaic module.