Abstract: A method of fabricating a photovoltaic solar cell is provided. A plurality of generally spherical semiconductor elements are provided. Each of the semiconductor elements has a core and an outer surface surface forming a p-n junction. An anti-reflection coating is deposited on the outer surface of each of the semiconductor elements and each of the semiconductor elements is bonded into a perforated aluminum foil array thereby providing ohmic contact to a first side of the p-n junction. The anti-reflection coating is removed from a portion of each of the semiconductor elements and then the core is exposed, thereby allowing ohmic contact to be made to a second side of the p-n junction.

Abstract: An improved method of affixing spheres 4 to a foil matrix 2 is described herein. First, a cell sandwich 32 is prepared. This cell sandwich 32 includes spheres 4 mounted on a foil matrix 2 which are disposed between upper and lower pressure pads 34 and 36. The cell sandwich 32 is then heated (e.g., to about 530.degree. C.). The spheres 4 are then affixed to the foil matrix 2 by directing the cell sandwich 32 through a roll press 48 which compresses the heated cell sandwich 32.