NOVELTY - A flexible solar module comprises interconnected solar cell chips arranged in an array, where each solar cell chip has a light receiving surface and greater than or equal to 2 electrodes; optical elements (16), where each optical element has a light collecting area (22) and a light emitting area (24); light reflecting layer deposited on surfaces of the optical element other than the light collecting area and the light emitting area; and flexible electrode substrates having conductive stripes.    USE - A flexible solar module for use in portable battery chargers for marine, recreational vehicles and recreational use, flexible laminates for integration into size-limited applications including bus shelters, automotive applications, and building integrated photovoltaics.    ADVANTAGE - The solar module has high conversion efficiency, i.e. 20% efficiency, output power and long term stability (over 25 years of continuous service). The flexibility of the module allows for greater portability and ease of mounting of the solar module compared to conventional solar power devices. The optical elements increase the amount of light incident on each solar cell chip and decrease the required size of each chip. The solar module does not require tracking the sun over the course of the day since the optical element can achieve a degree of concentration while simultaneously allowing incident light to be varied over a wide range of angles. The module also permits operation on cloudy days where light is scattered over a wide range of incident angles.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A flexible solar module comprises interconnected solar cell chips arranged in an array, where each solar cell chip has a light receiving surface and greater than or equal to 2 electrodes; optical element (16), where each optical element has a light collecting area (22) and a light emitting area (24); light reflecting layer deposited on surfaces of the optical element other than the light collecting area and the light emitting area; and flexible electrode substrates having conductive stripes. The light emitting area of each optical element is adhered to the light receiving surface of the solar cell chips with no air gaps between the light emitting area of each optical element and the light receiving surface to which it is adhered. Each light collecting area receives light incident upon the light collecting area and directs the light to the light receiving surface of the solar cell chips, so that the light collecting area can receive light over a wide range of angles. The optical elements are inverted truncated pyramids, or transparent plates. The solar cell chips are silicon are electrically connected to greater than or equal to 2 wires comprising silver or copper wires. The conductive stripes are copper. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of fabricating a flexible solar module.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a top and side view of an optical element of a flexible solar module.    Optical element (16)    Surface of optical element sloping face (20)    Light collecting area (22)    Light emitting area (24)