NOVELTY - A photovoltaic device (10) having a light incident surface (12) and a backside surface (14), comprises a chalcogenide-containing photovoltaic layer (20); a transparent conductive layer (30) interposed between the photovoltaic layer and the light incident surface; an electronic collection grid (36) electrically coupled to the transparent conductive layer and overlying at least a portion of the transparent conductive layer; an elastomeric structure (42) having a light incident surface (46); and an optional protective barrier (44) overlying the elastomeric structure.    USE - As photovoltaic device (claimed) useful for making external electrical connections.    ADVANTAGE - The photovoltaic device is highly resistant to delamination stresses and water degradation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A photovoltaic device (10) having a light incident surface (12) and a backside surface (14), comprises a chalcogenide-containing photovoltaic layer (20) containing at least one of copper, indium and/or gallium; a transparent conductive layer (30) interposed between the photovoltaic layer and the light incident surface, where the transparent conductive layer is electrically coupled to the photovoltaic layer; an electronic collection grid (36) electrically coupled to the transparent conductive layer and overlying at least a portion of the transparent conductive layer; an elastomeric structure (42) having a light incident surface (46), the structure overlying at least portions of the electronic collection grid and the transparent conductive layer in a manner such that the light incident surface of the elastomeric structure is spaced apart from a major portion of the conductor, and where the elastomeric structure comprises an elastomeric siloxane polymer having a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of at least 0.1 g/m2-day and an optional protective barrier (44) overlying the elastomeric structure.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic cross-section of a photovoltaic device.    Photovoltaic device (10)    Light incident surface (12)    Backside surface (14)    Chalcogenide-containing photovoltaic layer (20)    Transparent conductive layer (30)    Electronic collection grid (36)    Elastomeric structure (42)    Protective barrier (44)    Light incident surface (46)