NOVELTY - The photovoltaic module comprises discrete photovoltaic cells (124) arranged in cell rows including a first row and a last row, an electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet forming a current return path between the first and last rows, electrically conductive strips including one strip per cell row, an interconnecting member extending along the length of the last row and having a first side and a second side, a solder strip disposed on a back side of the backsheet in a region of the backsheet including the hole pattern, and a sealant comprising butyl rubber or solar edge tape.    USE - The photovoltaic module is useful for generating direct current power.    ADVANTAGE - The photovoltaic module is less-expensive, has improved reliability, structural strength, performance and switching speed, and can be operated under non-uniform illumination conditions.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The photovoltaic module comprises discrete photovoltaic cells (124) arranged in cell rows including a first row and a last row, an electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet forming a current return path between the first and last rows, electrically conductive strips including one strip per cell row, an interconnecting member extending along the length of the last row and having a first side and a second side, a solder strip disposed on a back side of the backsheet in a region of the backsheet including the hole pattern, a sealant comprising butyl rubber or solar edge tape, an electrically insulating protective film covering the backsheet, an electronics assembly attached to the photovoltaic module, a strain relief fold formed in the backsheet between the fold of the backsheet and the major surface of the backsheet, a second interconnecting member generally extending lengthwise along a portion of the end of the backsheet, a light emitting diode (134) connected to the printed circuit board and viewable from a front of the photovoltaic module, an acrylic foam tape, a transparent front plate disposed in front of the photovoltaic cells, a frame (136) extending along the side of the photovoltaic module, terminals extending in a direction orthogonal to the major surface of the backsheet, connectors having a contact area of 6 square millimeters, two terminal housings enclosing the first end of a corresponding one of the terminals, two terminal covers configured to couple to a corresponding one of the terminal housings, power relays, an optical relay coupled in parallel with one of the power relays between the positive line of the photovoltaic module and the positive line of the external circuit, and a voltmeter. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other. The current flows unidirectionally through the photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row. A thickness of the backsheet is 0.02-0.2 millimeters, and a tensile yield strength of the backsheet is 120-200 mega-pascals. The backsheet comprises aluminum of grade 1145-H19 or 1235-H19. Each strip is connected to a back side of each photovoltaic cell in a corresponding cell row. Each strip has a thickness of 0.02-0.2 millimeters, a width of 0.05-2 centimeters, and a length, which is approximately equal to a length of a corresponding cell row to which the strip is connected. The electrically conductive strips are disposed between the back sides of the photovoltaic cells and the backsheet. The backsheet includes: an end near the last row of photovoltaic cells, where the end includes a hole pattern; fold formed along the width of the backsheet; and an end near the first row of photovoltaic cells, where the end includes a fold extending along the width of the backsheet in which the fold is oriented orthogonal to a major surface of the backsheet. The first side of the interconnecting member is electrically connected to each of the photovoltaic cells within the last row. The solder strip is soldered to the second side of the interconnecting member through the hole pattern such that each of the photovoltaic cells within the last row is electrically connected to the backsheet through the interconnecting member and the solder strip. The fold of the end of the backsheet covers the solder strip. The sealant is laminated between the solder strip and the fold. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a method of commencing operation in a photovoltaic module; and    (2) a method of controlling power output generated by a photovoltaic module.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a front view of a photovoltaic module.    Photovoltaic cells (124)    First edge (132A)    Light emitting diode (134)    Frame (136)    Frame extensions. (138)