NOVELTY - The solar cell array (20) comprises an electrically insulating substrate having a carrier surface (22) on which electrically conductive bonding pads are provided, and solar cells (13, 14, 15) including a first electrode bonded to a respective bonding pad so as to make electrical contact with a first portion of the respective bonding pad. The bonding pads are spaced from one another in a main direction. Each bonding pad comprises a second portion defining an exposed contact region not covered by the first electrode of the respective solar cell.    USE - The solar cell array is useful as a primary power source for spacecraft.    ADVANTAGE - The solar cell array has high packing density and easy-to-manufacture interconnections, and is inexpensive.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The solar cell array (20) comprises an electrically insulating substrate having a carrier surface (22) on which electrically conductive bonding pads are provided, and solar cells (13, 14, 15) including a first electrode bonded to a respective bonding pad so as to make electrical contact with a first portion of the respective bonding pad. The bonding pads are spaced from one another in a main direction. Each bonding pad comprises a second portion defining an exposed contact region not covered by the first electrode of the respective solar cell. An interconnecting lead such as a flexible ribbon electrically connects the second portion of the bonding pad associated with a first solar cell of the solar cells with a second electrode of a directly adjacent second solar cell of the solar cells. The substrate comprises a film made of flexible material, and a flexible polyimide film. Each solar cell further comprises a light-receiving surface upon which light is incident, and a front electrode placed on the light-receiving surface. The first electrode is a back electrode arranged on a back surface of the solar cell opposite to the light-receiving surface. The interconnecting lead is connected from the front electrode of a first solar cell to the second portion of a bonding pad associated with a directly adjacent second solar cell. The second portion is proximal to the front electrode of the first solar cell along the main direction. Each bonding pad and the first electrode of each solar cell are a metal layer having a thickness of 2-5 mu m. Each bonding pad has a rectangular shape defined by a first lateral side extending along the main direction and a second lateral side extending in a direction orthogonal to the main direction. The first electrode of each solar cell extends: in the main direction less than the first lateral side of the respective bonding pad on which it is disposed to define a second portion of rectangular shape; and in the direction orthogonal to the main direction with a length equal to the second lateral side of the respective bonding pad on which it is disposed. The second portion of each bonding pad has a length in the main direction of 1-2 mm. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of assembling a solar cell array.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a partial schematic plan view of an array of solar cells.    Common electrically insulating substrate (10)    Solar cells (13, 14, 15)    Narrow fingers (16a, 16b, 16c)    Solar cell array (20)    Carrier surface. (22)