NOVELTY - The photovoltaic module for conversion of incident electromagnetic radiation (112) into electric energy, comprises a transparent cover sheet (114), a photovoltaic cell (116) accommodated within an encapsulation element (118) providing protection from environmental influence, a rear layer (124) for providing additional protection of the module against environmental influence, and an additional host material. The encapsulation element comprises a luminescence downshifting material adapted for partially absorbing the incident radiation and re-emitting radiation at a longer wavelength.    USE - The photovoltaic module is useful for conversion of incident electromagnetic radiation into electric energy.    ADVANTAGE - The photovoltaic module can be produced with improved quantum efficiency, and can withstand extreme exposure to ultraviolet radiation, large fluctuations in temperature, dust, hail and very high humidity for long periods of operation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The photovoltaic module for conversion of incident electromagnetic radiation (112) into electric energy, comprises a transparent cover sheet (114), a photovoltaic cell (116) accommodated within an encapsulation element (118) providing protection from environmental influence, a rear layer (124) for providing additional protection of the module against environmental influence, and an additional host material. The encapsulation element comprises a luminescence downshifting material adapted for partially absorbing the incident radiation and re-emitting radiation at a longer wavelength, a front layer (120) disposed between the cell and the cover sheet, and a back layer (122) disposed on a back side of the photovoltaic cell opposing the front layer. The luminescence downshifting material is comprised within the encapsulation element at a concentration of 200-1000 ppm, and exhibits a maximum in absorption of electromagnetic radiation of 400 nanometers and a maximum in emission of electromagnetic radiation of 400-700 nanometers. The front layer is partially laminated to the photovoltaic cell and/or to the back layer. The rear layer is laminated to the encapsulation element and/or to the transparent cover sheet. The luminescence downshifting material is partially dissolved or dispersed in the host material, which is dispersed in the polymeric matrix material. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) an encapsulation sheet material adapted for use in an encapsulation element in a photovoltaic module; and    (2) a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic module.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a perspective view of a photovoltaic module.    Electromagnetic radiation (112)    Transparent cover sheet (114)    Photovoltaic cell (116)    Encapsulation element (118)    Front layer (120)    Back layer (122)    Rear layer. (124)