Abstract: There is described a solar cell panel consisting of an outer rigid transparent faceply of glass or plastic material to which are applied at least two layers of plastic such as polyvinyl butyral between which are positioned a plurality of solar cell wafers. A thin flexible film of polyethylene terephthalate forms the other outer surface of the panel. The panel is manufactured by laminating the materials together and allowing the margins of the plastic film to extend beyond the polyvinyl butyral layers so that the film can be brought into direct contact and sealed to a rigid base plate, forming a fully encapsulating structure. The assembled structure is then evacuated to withdraw air and to squeeze the layers together to promote adhesion. The evacuated laminated structure is then placed in an oven for applying heat and pressure to the laminated structure for permanent bonding. After cooling, excess film is trimmed from around the edges of the rigid face plate.