Abstract: An assembly for forming a back-contact photovoltaic module includes an integrated back-sheet with a substrate, an electrically conductive metal circuit adhered to a front surface of the substrate, and a back insulating layer adhered to the electrically conductive metal circuit. The back insulating layer has openings aligned with the electrically conductive metal circuit and with electrical contacts on the back side of a back-contact solar cell. A front sheet and front encapsulant layer are provided on a front surface of the solar cell. The back insulating layer or the front encapsulant layer has a concave opening that complements the solar cell profile. When the back-contact solar cell is received in the concave opening, the electrical contacts on the back side of the solar cell align with the openings of the back insulating layer and with the electrically conductive metal circuit. A process for forming the described assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flame resistant flexible backsheet for solar cell modules, which comprises (a) a flame resistant layer formed of a non-metal inorganic fiber fabric; and (b) a first polymeric layer that is adhered to a first side of the flame resistant layer. Further disclosed herein is a solar cell module comprising the flame resistant flexible backsheet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laminated flame resistant sheet comprising a first and a second polymeric film layer and a perforated flame resistant sheet layer laminated between the first and the second polymeric film layer, wherein, the perforated flame resistant sheet layer is formed of a sheet that is not ignitable following UL 94 horizontal burning test and comprises multiple apertures throughout, and wherein each of the apertures has an average diameter of about 0.1-8 mm and are spaced about 1-50 mm apart from adjacent apertures. Further disclosed herein is an article, such as a solar cell module, comprising the laminated flame resistant sheet.

Abstract: A solar cell module is provided that has a plurality of electrically interconnected solar cells, wherein each solar cell comprises a photoelectric conversion body, one or more conductive ribbons, and one or more reflective strips. The electrically conductive ribbons are disposed over a portion of the front surface of the photoelectric conversion body. The reflective strips are disposed over the electrically conductive ribbons. The reflective strips have an average total reflectance of at least about 20% and a ratio of average diffuse reflectance to average total reflectance of at least about 0.2.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module including a frontsheet, a front encapsulant layer, a formable photoactive cell layer, a support layer, and a backside mounting surface. The formable photoactive cell layer includes a flexible substrate and at least a first photoactive cell including a photoactive surface. An orientation of the photoactive surface is different than an orientation of the backside mounting surface. A formable photoactive cell layer including a flexible substrate and an array of photoactive cells. The photoactive cells are spaced apart to form both a photoactive area and a non-photoactive area of the formable photoactive cell layer. The non-photoactive area is sufficiently large to allow the flexible substrate to be shaped to form the formable photoactive cell layer into a non-planar structure.

Abstract: Light concentrating articles capable of concentrating about 1.02 to about 2000 sun equivalents of solar energy onto a solar cell comprise a thermoplastic composition, preferably an ionomer composition. The light concentrating articles may be made by a variety of processes, which are provided herein, such as for example an injection molding process, an injection overmolding process, an extrusion process, a cast film or sheet process, a blown film or sheet process, a vacuum forming process, a compression molding process, a transfer molding process, or a profile extrusion process. Secondary forming processes, such as bending, stamping, embossing, machining, laminating, adhering, metallizing, and the like may also be used in forming the light concentrating articles.

Abstract: A concentrator solar cell module comprises at least one solar cell and at least one light concentrating article. The at least one light concentrating article is capable of concentrating about 1.02 to about 2000 sun equivalents of solar energy onto the solar cell(s) and comprises an ionomer composition. The ionomer composition comprises or is produced from an ionomer that has a temperature of onset of creep that is significantly greater than its peak melting temperature.