Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) crystalline silicon modules and methods of manufacturing wherein the modules contain a non-glass front sheet, upper and lower encapsulate layers, a PV cell layer, an insulating sheet, and a structural back plane comprising an aluminum composite. The front sheet can be comprised of ETFE, the encapsulate layers comprise EVA, and the back plane preferably comprises APA. This particular configuration results in a lightweight PV module that still retains a high power density, and can be readily installed onto rooftops without traditional heavy racking. The PV module may be adhered to the roof using a double sided pressure sensitive adhesive or heat welded.