TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Module: In the PVM, the micro-embossed optical film is formed from a polymeric material different than an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film used as encapsulant for the PVM, where the optical film is characterized by not deforming at temperatures where the EVA film softens and flows, and where the optical film is ultra violet-stabilized. The optical film comprises polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The optical film is fabricated with optical micro- structures at locations to cover areas not covered by the solar cells in the module. The optical film is located behind the solar cells, and a non-active area of the optical film includes holes configured to allow any of the EVA encapsulant. a heat conductive plastic film, a heat conductive encapsulant film or a doped EVA heat conductive encapsulant located on back sides of the solar cells to pass there through and adhere to the back sides of the solar cells. Alternatively, the PVM comprises solar cells and a compliant, heat conducting polymeric film located on back sides of solar cells. The PVM further comprises a heat conductive polymeric film deposited on an aluminum foil to form a composite film, which composite film comprises a rear barrier film for the PVM; an aluminum honeycomb structure bonded to the aluminum foil; and heat conductive, polymer encapsulant films the encapsulant films having an electrical resistivity of approximately 1012-1016 ohms-cm, and a thermal conductivity of approximately 1.0 W/mK to 10 W/mK. In a second alternative case, the PVM comprises solar cells and one of a doped EVA encapsulant film or a modified EVA encapsulant film at back sides of the solar cells. In a third alternative case, the PVM comprises solar cells and a textured crown glass coated with selective frequency coatings on a top surface. In a fourth alternative case, the PVM comprises solar cells interconnected by interconnect tabs, where those of the interconnect tabs for front halves of the solar cells are of a different width than those of the interconnect labs for rear halves of the solar cells. In a fifth alternative case, the PVM comprises solar cells interconnected by interconnect tabs, where the interconnect labs have a curvilinear cross-section.