NOVELTY - A solar electric module comprises a transparent front cover (28); several solar cells (36); a back cover (50) spaced apart from and parallel to the front cover, where the solar cells are disposed between the covers; and a light transmitting encapsulant including a weight mitigation layer (52), disposed between the front cover and the back cover. The back cover has several perforations of a predetermined size at least in regions obscured by the solar cells. The perforations enable migration of moisture in to or out from light transmitting encapsulant and solar cells.    USE - As a solar electric module useful for converting solar energy into electrical energy.    ADVANTAGE - The solar electric module has back which includes perforations that enable migration of moisture in to or out from light transmitting encapsulant and solar cells. The use of weight mitigation layer retains the advantages of a glass cover for transparency, resistance to degradation, protection of the front of the module, moisture impermeability that does not transmit water, and hardness (scratch resistance)) while limiting the thickness (and weight) of the transparent front panel. The use of the weight mitigation layer increases the reflecting layer distance, which allows the solar cells to be space farther apart. As a result, a solar electric module can provide about the same power output with fewer solar cells compared to a solar electric module without any weight mitigation layer. The use of weight mitigation layer provides increased reliability, because there are fewer solar cells, and provides more UV protection to components (e.g. reflecting layer) below the weight mitigation layer, because the increased polymer layer (e.g. ethylene vinyl acetate) has U-V blocking or absorbing properties.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A solar electric module comprises a transparent front cover (28); several solar cells (36) configured in a substantially coplanar arrangement and spaced apart from each other; a back cover (50) spaced apart from and parallel to the front cover, where the solar cells are disposed between the transparent front cover and the back cover, and the back cover has a surface nearest the transparent front cover that is reflecting at least over a portion of the surface exposed between the solar cells, and several perforations of a predetermined size at least in regions obscured by the solar cells; and a light transmitting encapsulant disposed between the transparent front cover and the back cover. The perforations enable migration of moisture in to or out from the light transmitting encapsulant and the solar cells. The light is transmitted through the transparent front cover and is incident on the back cover in regions between the solar cells. The light is reflected towards the transparent front cover and internally reflected back from the transparent front cover towards the solar cells and back cover. The light transmitting encapsulant comprises a first layer of transparent material (34) disposed adjacent to the back surface of the transparent front cover, and a second layer of transparent material (42) disposed adjacent to the back surfaces of the solar cells; and a reflecting layer disposed between the solar cells and the back cover. The first layer of transparent material comprises at least one encapsulating sheet (54) adjacent to the front surfaces of the solar cells, and a weight mitigation layer (52) disposed between the back surface of the transparent front cover and the at least one encapsulating sheet. The weight mitigation layer has a density less than the transparent front cover, and replacing a volume of the transparent front cover equal to a volume of the weight mitigation layer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows an exploded schematic view of a cross section of a solar cell module including a weight mitigation layer.    Front cover (28)    First layer of encapsulant (34)    Solar cells (36)    Reflecting layer (40)    Second layer of encapsulant (42)    Reflective coating (48)    Back glass cover (50)    Weight mitigation layer (52)    Encapsulating sheet. (54)