A photovoltaic module includes a front protective layer, a back protective layer, a plurality of solar cells, and a filler. The front protective layer is transmissive to light and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The back protective layer faces the second surface. The plurality of solar cells are between the second surface and the back protective layer. The filler is between the front protective layer and the plurality of solar cells and covers the plurality of solar cells. The filler includes a material with a chemical structure to generate a free acid. The front protective layer includes a weather-resistance resin. At least a part of the first surface is exposed to a space external to the photovoltaic module.

A composition comprising the following: a) an ethylene/alpha-olefin/interpolymer; b) a peroxide; c) a Si-containing compound selected from the following (i) through (v): (i), where each R is independently selected from a C1-C3 alkyl, and n is from 1 to 16; (ii), where each R is independently methyl or ethyl, and n is from 1 to 18; (iii), where each R is independently methyl or ethyl; (iv) a vinyl oligomericsiloxane; or (v) any combination of (i) through (iv). ##STR00001##

A composition for use as a film layer comprises (A) an olefin-based polymer having a volume resistivity greater than 5.0*10.sup.15 ohm.cm; (B) a hydrophilic fumed silica; (C) an alkoxysilane; (D) an organic peroxide; and, optionally, (E) from 0 wt % to 1.5 wt % of a crosslinking co-agent.

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.

The invention relates to a front-face substrate for a solar module, in particular for mobile applications, for example mobile devices, means of transportation, or manned or unmanned flying objects, wherein the front-face substrate has a weight per unit area of under 500 g/m.sup.2 and comprises a material which has a transmission curve T() for a reference thickness of 100 m, said transmission curve forming a transition from a lower transmission T.sub.low to an upper transmission T.sub.up and having a transitional transmission T.sub.tr therebetween of 50% in a wavelength range of 302 nm to 322 nm.

An encapsulant film for a photovoltaic module includes an encapsulating layer and a heat resistant layer disposed adjacent to the encapsulating layer. The encapsulating layer includes polyethylene in an amount of 50% to 100%, by weight. The heat resistant layer includes one of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polymethyl pentene (PMP), cycloolefin polymer (COP), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene furanoate (PEF), isosorbide polymer, and polycarbonate (PC) in an amount of 50% to 100%, by weight.

Provided are a crosslinking agent composition for an olefin-based copolymer, an encapsulant composition for an optical device, an encapsulant film for an optical device, and an optoelectronic device, wherein a compound of Formula 1 is applied in the crosslinking agent composition or the encapsulant composition including an olefin-based copolymer, as a crosslinking auxiliary agent, thereby forming an encapsulant composition for an optical device and an encapsulant film for an optical device, showing excellent productivity and high volume resistance and light transmittance:

##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 are described herein.

A solar cell module includes a resin first protective layer being light transmissive, a second protective layer, a solar cell portion, a resin first filler layer, a resin second filler layer, a substrate, and an adhesive layer. The solar cell portion includes solar cell elements between the protective layers. The first filler layer facing the first protective layer covers the solar cell elements. The second filler layer facing the second protective layer covers the solar cell elements. The adhesive layer bonds the second protective layer and the substrate. The first protective layer is softer than the substrate. One or more of the second filler layer, the second protective layer, and the adhesive layer have a higher Young's modulus than the first filler layer.

The invention relates to a film comprising a functionalized polyolefin polymer and to the use of the film as an encapsulant film for a photovoltaic module. The functionalized polyolefin polymer is a polymer selected from: (a) a propylene copolymer, (b) a propylene terpolymer, (c) an ethylene terpolymer, and (d) a polymer mixture comprising any combination of polymers (a) to (c). Further, the functionalized polyolefin polymer comprises <0.8 wt %, of an inorganic metal oxide such as alumina, based on the total weight of the functionalized polyolefin polymer. The invention further relates to an encapsulated solar cell comprising encapsulant layers comprising the film. The invention further relates to a photovoltaic module comprising the encapsulated solar cell and to a process for making the photovoltaic module.

A method, including obtaining a plurality of components, including at least a frontsheet, solar cells, and a backsheet; positioning the plurality of components such that a first row of solar cells is above the backsheet, a second row of solar cells is above the backsheet, and the frontsheet is above at least one of the first row of solar cells or the second row of solar cells; and laminating the plurality of components to form a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module includes a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of the photovoltaic module includes the first row of solar cells, where the second portion of the photovoltaic module includes the second row of solar cells, where the first portion of the photovoltaic module extends along a first plane, where the second portion of the photovoltaic module extends along a second plane, and where the second plane is offset from the first plane.