NOVELTY - The solar cell structure comprises a base, a layer formed on the base including a first portion and a second portion in which each of the first and the second portions are formed on the base and the second portion forms a pattern, a transparent conductive oxide layer (38) formed over the layer, a metallic connector formed on the conductive oxide layer, and a buffer layer between the conductive oxide layer and the layer. The metallic connector has a primary connector and secondary connectors attached to the primary connector.    USE - The component deals with the solar cell structure (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The solar cell structure is reliable since the generally weak interfaces between thin film absorber layers and their substrates are eliminated, and is cost effective.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The solar cell structure comprises a base, a layer formed on the base including a first portion and a second portion in which each of the first and the second portions are formed on the base and the second portion forms a pattern, a transparent conductive oxide layer (38) formed over the layer, a metallic connector formed on the conductive oxide layer, and a buffer layer between the conductive oxide layer and the layer. The metallic connector has a primary connector and secondary connectors attached to the primary connector, which is positioned over the pattern formed by the second portion of the layer without extending over the first portion of the layer. The electrical resistivity of the second portion is higher than the electrical resistivity of the first portion, and the first portion forms an absorber layer. The first portion and the second portion include Group IB material, IIIA material and Group VIA material. The molar ratio of Group IB material to Group IIIA material in the second portion is less than 0.8 and the molar ratio of Group IB material to Group IIIA material in the first portion is more than 0.8. The primary connector includes a busbar, and the secondary connectors include fingers. The base includes a substrate and a contact layer and the layer is formed over the contact layer. The first portion comprises a Group IA material while the second portion does not contain the Group IA material. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a multilayer precursor structure to form solar cell absorbers that are used for manufacturing solar cells including a metallic connector;    (2) a method of forming a solar cell; and    (3) a method of forming a solar cell absorber on a continuous flexible workpiece using a roll-to-roll processing system.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of an edge region of a solar cell.    Conductive substrate (30)    Top surface (30a)    Bottom surface (31)    Edge bottom surface (32)    Edge side wall (33)    Transparent conductive oxide layer. (38)