Architectural panels with organic photovoltaic interlayers and methods of forming the same

A structure configured to provide cover from outside elements and generate power from one or more light sources using one or more organic photovoltaic elements, comprising:

• a frame;
• and
• one or more translucent, photovoltaic, power-generating architectural panels mounted to the frame, wherein the one or more architectural panels include:
• one or more translucent, flexible organic photovoltaic components comprising an organic photovoltaic material adhered within an encapsulation film;
• a rigid, pre-formed translucent substrate fused to the encapsulation film of the one or more organic photovoltaic components, wherein the encapsulation film prevents the organic photovoltaic components from direct contact with the rigid, pre-formed translucent substrate;
• and
• a barrier layer fused to one or more of the pre-formed substrate and the encapsulation film of the one or more organic photovoltaic components;
• wherein the one or more architectural panels are sufficiently strong, and rigid or inflexible, and thereby suited for use as a building material.

A translucent, laminate panel configured for photovoltaic power-generation, and having sufficient rigidity and strength for use as a solar power-generating building material or component, the laminate panel comprising:

• a first rigid, pre-formed substrate having been formed into a non-linear shape, and being sufficiently rigid and inflexible for use as a building material;
• one or more flexible organic photovoltaic components fused to the first rigid, pre-formed substrate, wherein the one or more flexible organic photovoltaic components conform to the non-linear shape of the first rigid, pre-formed substrate;
• wherein the one or more flexible organic photovoltaic components comprise one or more photovoltaic cells adhered within an encapsulation film, such that the encapsulation film insulates the flexible, organic photovoltaic components within the encapsulation film and prevents degradation of the photovoltaic components;
• and
• a second rigid, pre-formed substrate having been formed into the same non-linear shape as the first rigid, pre-formed substrate, wherein the second rigid, pre-formed substrate is translucent, and is fused at least to the encapsulating film of the one or more flexible organic photovoltaic components;
• wherein the first and second rigid pre-formed substrates and one or more organic photovoltaic components form a substantially rigid panel that is sufficiently strong and rigid for use as a building material, as a shield from outside elements, and is suited for use as photovoltaic power generator.