NOVELTY - A photovoltaic module (30) comprises a photovoltaic element having an upper surface, an encapsulant resin layer (36) over the upper surface of the photovoltaic element, a cover plate, and a decorative overlay positioned above upper surface of photovoltaic element, the overlay is transmissive of near infrared radiation and infrared radiation.    USE - As photovoltaic module used for installation on roofing cover (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The photovoltaic module has controllable and desirable aesthetics for use in roof applications while still maintaining sufficient efficiency in power generation. The overlay film or coating has desirable visual appearance in the visible range of the spectrum. The photovoltaic device is capable of producing electricity because near infrared and infrared radiation passing through the overlay film or coating activate the photovoltaic device. The use of infrared-transmissive pigments to modify the surface of photovoltaic modules greatly improves the ability to harmonize such modules in an aesthetically pleasant fashion with the rest of the roofing cover while, also eliminating the narrow color selection issue posed by the products currently available.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for producing a decorative photovoltaic module involving providing a photovoltaic module including a semiconductor stack encapsulated in a layer of an infrared transmissive resin, adhering an overlay film (46) bearing a decorative pattern to the layer of infrared transmissive resin, and adhering a top plate (38) to the overlay film using an infrared transmissive adhesive material or printing a decorative pattern on the top plate using an ink selected from opaque inks, infrared transmissive inks and partially transmissive inks.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic sectional view of a photovoltaic module.    Photovoltaic module (30)    Solar cell stack (32)    External current collecting electrodes (34)    Encapsulant resin layer (36)    Top plate (38)    Inner layer (40)    Backing plate (44)