Methods for fabricating photovoltaic modules by tuning the optical properties of individual components

A method for fabricating a photovoltaic module having a gain in efficiency, the method comprising:

• selecting a photovoltaic cell operable to convert photons to electrons;
• selecting a light transparent superstrate having a superstrate absorption coefficient and a superstrate refractive index;
• selecting an encapsulant having an encapsulant absorption coefficient and an encapsulant refractive index, wherein the absorption coefficients of the superstrate and the encapsulant are selected to optimize light reaching the photovoltaic cell, and wherein the encapsulant refractive index is greater than the superstrate refractive index such that there is a gain in efficiency;
• and
• assembling the photovoltaic module using the selected materials, such that the encapsulant surrounds the photovoltaic cell and separates the superstrate from the photovoltaic cell;
• wherein the gain in efficiency is further based on tuning the absorption coefficients and refractive indices of the superstrate and encapsulant in order to maximize the short-circuit current density of the photovoltaic cell.