NOVELTY - A photovoltaic device (10) comprises: a transparent substrate (12); thin film layers on the glass substrate, where the thin film layers define photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other; first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells; an encapsulation substrate (14) on the thin film layers; and support insert positioned within the connection aperture to mechanically support the transparent substrate in an area opposite to the connection aperture.    USE - As a photovoltaic device (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The support reduces cracking in the window glass of photovoltaic device, particularly in the area where a hole is located in the encapsulation substrate.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A photovoltaic device (10) comprises: a transparent substrate (12); thin film layers on the glass substrate, where the thin film layers define photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other; first lead connected to one of the photovoltaic cells; an encapsulation substrate (14) on the thin film layers, where the encapsulation substrate defines a connection aperture through which the first lead extends, the connection aperture having a perimeter defined by an aperture wall of the encapsulation substrate; and support insert positioned within the connection aperture to mechanically support the transparent substrate in an area opposite to the connection aperture, where the support insert is configured such that the first lead is able to extend through the connection aperture while the support insert is in place within the connection aperture. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a kit for use with a photovoltaic device that has a first lead comprising: encapsulation substrate defining a connection aperture having a perimeter defined by an aperture wall of the encapsulation substrate; and support insert configured to be coupled within the connection aperture of the encapsulation substrate, where the support insert is configured such that when coupled with the photovoltaic device, and the first lead is capable of extending through the connection aperture.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-sectional view of thin film photovoltaic device.    Photovoltaic device (10)    Transparent substrate (12)    Encapsulation substrate (14)    Groove (18)    Thin film stack (25) First lead (22)    Second lead (26)    Lip (106)