NOVELTY - A photovoltaic module has an array of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells (6) encapsulated between a transparent front panel and a back sheet by a zinc-based, light-transmitting ionomer (4, 12).    USE - As photovoltaic module, particularly photovoltaic solar cell module.    ADVANTAGE - The inventive photovoltaic module uses zinc-based ionomer encapsulant to avoid chemical reaction degradation by residues of acidic solder flux at soldered solar cell connections (8).    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of manufacturing the inventive photovoltaic module. The method involves providing string(s) of electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells. Each cell has a front light-receiving surface and a rear surface with first and second contacts attached to the front and rear surfaces, respectively. The cells are interconnected by conductors that are soldered to the contacts. A stiff and transparent front support sheet and a back support sheet are provided. A first zinc ionomer sheet is placed overlying the surface of the front support sheet. The string(s) of solar cells is placed over at least one sheet of zinc ionomer. A sheet of scrim is placed over the string(s) of cells, and then covered with additional sheet(s) of zinc ionomer. The second support sheet is placed over the additional sheet(s) of zinc ionomer. The resulting assembly of sheets and string(s) of cells is then heated to 120-130degreesC, and the components are compressed together under 390-400 torr to cause the zinc ionomer sheets to soften enough to encapsulate the cells and conductors. The assembly is then cooled to cause the ionomer to form a solid bond to the cells, conductors, scrim and front and rear support sheets, to produce a laminated module.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly of components used to manufacture the solar cell module.    Solar cells (6)    Zinc-based ionomer encapsulant (4, 12)    Soldered solar cell connections (8)