Abstract: A spherical or grain-shaped semiconductor element for use in solar cells and to a method for producing the semiconductor element. Also disclosed is a solar cell including an integrated spherical semiconductor element, a method for producing the solar cell, and a photovoltaic module including at least one solar cell. The semiconductor element includes a back contact layer and a I-III-VI compound semiconductor deposited on a spherical or grain-shaped substrate core. The I-III-VI compound semiconductor is produced by applying precursor layers and subsequent selenization or sulfurization. For producing a solar cell, a plurality of the inventive semiconductor elements is introduced into a substrate layer from which they project on at least one face thereof. The substrate layer is striped on one side, thereby exposing the back contact layer of most of the semiconductor elements.