Abstract: A photovoltaic array comprises a continuous semiconductor body with a plurality of spaced apart first and second electrical contacts on respective opposed surfaces of the body, thereby forming a plurality of photovoltaic cells with the cells series-connected to provide a higher output voltage. The invention is a series-connected array wherein the series connection between a pair of adjacent photovoltaic cells comprises a plurality of openings extending through the semiconductor body with an electrical contact of one cell extending into the plurality of openings to provide a connection with an opposed electrical contact of the next adjacent cell.

Abstract: A method of removing the effects of electrical shorts and shunts created during the fabrication process and improving the performance of a solar cell with a thick film cermet electrode opposite to the incident surface by applying a reverse bias voltage of sufficient magnitude to burn out the electrical shorts and shunts but less than the break down voltage of the solar cell.