Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a rear reflecting conductive contact layer adjacent an active semiconductor layer. The rear layer is composed of a light transmissive conductive layer formed on the active layer, an intermediate layer formed on the light transmissive conductive layer, and a layer of light reflecting conductive material formed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a dielectric material and portions through which the adjacent light transmissive and light reflecting conductive layers are conductively connected. For example, the intermediate layer can be provided as a thin layer of substantially only a dielectric material or as a cermet.