NOVELTY - The photovoltaic module comprises: a front sheet (1); a front encapsulant layer (2) having a total area (B), consisting of in-plane elements, where each of the in-plane elements has a contour; photoactive cells (3a,3b); a back encapsulant layer (4) having an area (A) and a contour; and a back sheet (5). The front encapsulant layer having the total area covers the area defined by the photovoltaic cells, where the total area of the front encapsulant layer is smaller than the area of the back encapsulant layer.    USE - Used as a photovoltaic module.    ADVANTAGE - The photovoltaic module can be economically manufactured with long lifespan.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The photovoltaic module comprises: a front sheet (1); a front encapsulant layer (2) having a total area (B), consisting of in-plane elements, where each of the in-plane elements has a contour; photoactive cells (3a,3b); a back encapsulant layer (4) having an area (A) and a contour; and a back sheet (5). The front encapsulant layer having the total area covers the area defined by the photovoltaic cells, where the total area of the front encapsulant layer is smaller than the area of the back encapsulant layer. The contours of the in-plane elements of the front encapsulant layer and the contour of the back encapsulant layer do not intersect. The front encapsulant layer having the total area further covers the area defined by the photovoltaic cells, and comprises a polymer. The polymer comprising the front encapsulant layer is a first ionomer. The front encapsulant layer further comprises a blend of the first and second ionomers different from the first ionomer or a blend and a non-neutralized copolymer of ethylene and (meth) acrylic acid. The back encapsulant layer comprises a polymer. The front sheet has the same area as the back encapsulant layer. Each front and back encapsulant layers are adhered directly to the front sheet. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a process for manufacturing a photovoltaic module.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic view of a photovoltaic module.    Front sheet (1)    Front encapsulant layer (2)    Photovoltaic cells (3a,3b)    Back encapsulant layer (4)    Back sheet. (5)