Lamination is the process which encapsulates solar cells while attaching front and back protective sheets, so that solar panels are capable of withstanding outdoor exposure in all kinds of weather. The lamination process involves pumping the air out of the module layers in a vacuum chamber, heating the layers to melt the encapsulant, and pressing the layers together with a flexible diaphragm to embed the cells in encapsulant and adhere the front and back sheets.