Method for manufacturing a solar cell and solar cell obtained therewith

A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising a solar cell device with an optically transparent structure, through which a contact structure extends to a first contact region in a semiconductor body of the solar cell device, which method comprises the steps of:

• providing the solar cell semi-manufactured device having a first side and an opposed second side, which first side is intended for capturing incident light and which second side is intended for assembly to a carrier, which solar cell device is provided with a passivation layer on at least one of the first and the second side;
• applying the optically transparent structure of electrically insulating, curable polymer material on top of the passivation layer to the first side and to the second side, so as to constitutes an encapsulation, wherein the application of the optically transparent structure comprises depositing a first layer, which acts as a sealing material for the underlying passivation layer,
• curing the polymer material of the optically transparent structure, which structure is patterned to form an aperture, and is an integral part of and a protection for the solar cell device,
• patterning the underlying passivation layer after deposition of the first layer, so as to expose the first contact region, and
• providing the contact structure of electrically conducting material in said aperture by means of electrochemical deposition, which contact structure comprises a barrier layer, a conductor layer and an interface layer.