Abstract: The present invention involves the use of specially formulated polymers into which anti-static and conducting metal additives have been incorporated to create a flexible, optically transparent cover for mechanical protection of the incident light-facing surface of the photovoltaic cells. The polymer coating imparts higher conversion efficiencies to photovoltaic cells and modules and is resistant to the destructive effects of UV. In the preferred embodiment, the surface comprising a flexible optically transparent polymer cover has a relief or “crinkle coat” structure morphology comprising a random set of rounded ridge and valley features that impart higher conversion efficiencies to photovoltaic cells and modules due to a concentration affect. Application of the present invention yields mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules that have conversion efficiencies as high as 20%, or more, as compared to 13-14% for presently available commercial module designs.