NOVELTY - A solar energy converter comprises a thin layer of gel contained within a thin panel enclosure and enclosing a solar cell (1010). The thin layer of gel comprises a front surface gel thin layer wetting the front surface and a back surface gel thin layer wetting the back surface of the solar cell. Thickness of the front surface gel thin layer is selected relative to thickness of the back surface gel thin layer for optimum output power of the solar cell. The gel is optical coupling fluids, non-curing optical gels, or curing optical gels.    USE - For converting energy in a solar cell.    ADVANTAGE - Solar cells operating in liquid and/or gel have increased operating efficiency resulting from two independent physical phenomena, an increase in output current from the solar cells from simply wetting the solar cells, and enhanced collection of light through refraction and inner reflection of light in the liquid. Dielectric liquids and gels are found to increase energy conversion efficiency of nip junction solar cells and also function as a medium for optical collection. The properties of dielectric liquid or gel permit the construction of a solar cell panel with a suitable geometry for functioning as an optical collector. A dielectric liquid or gel immersing one or more junction photovoltaic cells increases the energy conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic cells. The dielectric liquid or gel in combination with the junction photovoltaic cells operates as a highly efficient and low-cost optical collector. The converter converts energy in a solar cell with extremely high efficiency.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A solar energy converter comprises a thin panel enclosure having a two-dimensional flat base, short side walls, and a transparent lid (1004) separated from the flat base by the short side walls. The short side walls (1008) enclose an interior cavity having a depth smaller than the two-dimensional base dimensions. At least one solar cell is contained within the thin panel enclosure and has a front surface and back surface. A thin layer of gel is contained within the thin panel enclosure and encloses the solar cell. It comprises a front surface gel thin layer wetting the front surface and a back surface gel thin layer wetting the back surface of the solar cell. Thickness of the front surface gel thin layer is selected relative to thickness of the back surface gel thin layer for optimum output power of the solar cell. The gel is optical coupling fluids, non-curing optical gels, or curing optical gels.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a side view of a solar cell panel encapsulating system.    Tray (106)    Mounting table (1002)    Transparent lid (1004)    Side walls (1008)    Solar cell (1010)