NOVELTY - A laminating apparatus consists of a laminating station, a unit defining a guide path for the planar component, a unit for lifting off the removable covering from each protective layer (405) to expose the adhesive coating of the protective layer, a unit for feeding the two layers into the laminating station such that the exposed adhesive coatings face each other on either side of the feed path, and a unit for applying pressure to the layers when the component is sandwiched between the layers such that the adhesive adheres the layers to the component.    USE - Apparatus is used for laminating planar component, such as flexible array of photovoltaic cells, between protective outer layers, in manufacture of photovoltaic cells (all claimed) used for generating electricity by floating array on surface of water and subjecting array to source of light, desalinating seawater, reducing evaporation from surface of water body, and heating swimming pools.    ADVANTAGE - The apparatus enables efficient manufacture of photovoltaic cells. The laminate layers acts as a moisture barrier and protect the photovoltaic cell array from harmful UV radiation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A laminating apparatus consists of a laminating station, a unit defining a guide path for the planar component extending into the laminating station, a unit for lifting off the removable covering from each protective layer (405) to expose the adhesive coating of the protective layer, a unit for feeding the two layers into the laminating station such that the exposed adhesive coatings face each other on either side of the feed path of the planar component, and a unit for applying pressure to the two layers when the component is sandwiched between the layers such that the adhesive causes the two layers to adhere to the component.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of the final lamination process.    Sealed assembly (401)    Rollers (402,403)    Protective laminate (404)    Protective layer (405)    Heater (406)