Photovoltaic module
A photovoltaic module includes an encapsulated photovoltaic element and an infrared-transmissive decorative overlay simulating conventional roofing.
1. A photovoltaic module having an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic module comprising:
a photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of active layers, the photovoltaic element having an upper surface;
an encapsulant resin layer positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element; and
an overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation;
wherein the photovoltaic module includes a three-dimensional surface disposed above the active layers of the photovoltaic element;
wherein the overlay is positioned above the encapsulant resin layer, the three-dimensional surface being formed as an upper surface of the overlay, wherein the three-dimensional surface is the upper surface of the photovoltaic module, and
wherein the three-dimensional surface is an embossed surface or a molded surface.
2. The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional surface simulates the appearance of a roofing material.
3. The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional surface simulates the appearance of roofing granules on a roofing shingle.
4. The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the overlay is disposed over the entirety of the photovoltaic element.
5. The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the overlay is an overlay film.
6. The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the overlay is formed of a polymer material.
7. A photovoltaic module having an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic module comprising:
a photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of active layers, the photovoltaic element having an upper surface;
an encapsulant resin layer positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element; and
an overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation;
wherein the photovoltaic module includes a three-dimensional surface disposed above the active layers of the photovoltaic element;
wherein the overlay is positioned above the encapsulant resin layer, the three-dimensional surface being formed as an upper surface of the overlay;
wherein the three-dimensional surface is the upper surface of the photovoltaic module and
wherein the overlay further includes a pigment that absorbs radiation in the visible range.
8. A photovoltaic module having an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic module comprising:
a photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of active layers, the photovoltaic element having an upper surface;
an encapsulant resin layer positioned above and encapsulating the upper surface of the photovoltaic element; and
an overlay positioned above the encapsulant resin layer, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation,
wherein the photovoltaic module includes a three-dimensional surface disposed above the active layers of the photovoltaic element, the three-dimensional surface being formed as a lower surface of the overlay, and
wherein the three-dimensional surface is an embossed surface or a molded surface.
9. The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the three-dimensional surface simulates the appearance of a roofing material.
10. The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the three-dimensional surface simulates the appearance of roofing granules on a roofing shingle.
11. The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the overlay is disposed over the entirety of the photovoltaic element.
12. The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the overlay is an overlay film.
13. The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the overlay is formed of a polymer material.
14. A photovoltaic module having an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic module comprising:
a photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of active layers, the photovoltaic element having an upper surface;
an encapsulant resin layer positioned above and encapsulating the upper surface of the photovoltaic element; and
an overlay positioned above the encapsulant resin layer, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation,
wherein the photovoltaic module includes a three-dimensional surface disposed above the active layers of the photovoltaic element, the three-dimensional surface being formed as a lower surface of the overlay, and wherein the overlay further includes a pigment that absorbs radiation in the visible range.
15. The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , further comprising a top plate disposed above the overlay.
16. A photovoltaic module having an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic module comprising:
a photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of active layers, the photovoltaic element having an upper surface; and
an encapsulant resin layer positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element,
wherein the photovoltaic module includes a three-dimensional surface disposed above the active layers of the photovoltaic element, and wherein the three-dimensional surface is an embossed surface or a molded surface.
17. The photovoltaic module of claim 16 , wherein the three-dimensional surface simulates the appearance of a roofing material.
18. The photovoltaic module of claim 16 , wherein the three-dimensional surface simulates the appearance of roofing granules on a roofing shingle.
19. The photovoltaic module according to claim 16 , further comprising an overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation.
20. The photovoltaic module of 19 , wherein the overlay is disposed over the entirety of the photovoltaic element.
21. The photovoltaic module of claim 19 , wherein the overlay is an overlay film.
22. The photovoltaic module of claim 19 , wherein the overlay is formed of a polymer material.
23. A photovoltaic module having an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic module comprising:
a photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of active layers, the photovoltaic element having an upper surface; and
an encapsulant resin layer positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element,
wherein the photovoltaic module includes a three-dimensional surface disposed above the active layers of the photovoltaic element,
wherein the photovoltaic module further comprises an overlay positioned above the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, the overlay being substantially transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation, and
wherein the overlay further includes a pigment that absorbs radiation in the visible range.
24. The photovoltaic module of claim 19 , further comprising a top plate disposed above the overlay.