Multi-junction solar cell for space applications

A multi junction solar cell, comprising:

• a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of a semiconductor body, wherein a topmost pn-junction of a plurality of pn-junctions stacked on top of each other adjoins to the first main surface;
• a cell edge of the semiconductor body defining a shape of the first and the second main surfaces;
• an encapsulant arranged on the first main surface to protect the semiconductor body from an environment;
• a mesa groove arranged on the first main surface, wherein the mesa groove is filled with the encapsulant, and
• a coverglass is located on the encapsulant to seal the solar cell and the mesa groove on the first main surface,
• wherein the mesa groove is located adjacent to the cell edge to provide an inner cell area and a mesa wall,
• wherein a conductive or antistatic material that provides an electrical shunt path is applied on the cell edge which extends between a back side of the solar cell and a front side of the solar cell, the back side being provided by the second main surface and the front side being provided by the coverglass, thereby at least directly contacting the coverglass, the encapsulant, and the mesa wall.