TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: In interconnecting the first solar cell adjacent to the second solar cell in the array of solar cells further comprises: forming a metalized portion on the top surface of the second solar cell, where the exposed top surface of the backmetal layer of the first solar cell is coupled to the metalized portion formed on the top surface of the second solar cell; forming a release layer on a substrate; forming an array of solar cells on the release layer, the array including at least the first solar cell adjacent to the second solar cell; removing the release layer between the substrate and the array of solar cells; and separating the array of solar cells from the substrate. The first solar cell and the second solar cell are interconnected from a same side of the first solar cell and the second solar cell; interconnected from a top side of the first solar cell and a top side of the second solar cell; or interconnected by coupling a top side of the first solar cell to a top side of the second solar cell. Interconnecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell forms a serial connection between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. Interconnecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell forms a parallel connection between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. Interconnecting the first solar cell and the second solar cell forms a parallel connection and a serial connection between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. The method as well comprises: connecting a bypass diode to a portion of the top surface of the second solar cell, where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are interconnected by coupling the exposed top surface of the backmetal layer of the first solar cell to the bypass diode of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell are interconnected from a same side of the first solar cell and the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell are interconnected from a top side of the first solar cell and a top side of the second solar cell. The interconnect tab is a metallic interconnect tab. Preferred Array: In the solar array, the second solar cell includes a metalized portion formed on the top surface of the second solar cell, and the exposed top surface of the backmetal layer of the first solar cell is coupled to the metalized portion formed on the top surface of the second solar cell. The second solar cell includes a bypass diode coupled to a portion of the top surface of the second solar cell, and the first solar cell and the second solar cell are interconnected by coupling the exposed top surface of the backmetal layer of the first solar cell to the bypass diode of the second solar cell. There is a serial diode connection or a parallel connection between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. Preferred Method: In forming the array of solar cells, interconnecting the set of solar cells further includes: attaching one or more bypass diodes to a top side of the solar cell; and attaching the interconnect tabs to the top side of the solar cell. The bypass diodes and the interconnect tabs are attached to the top side of the solar cell by welding the bypass diodes and the interconnect tabs from the top side of the solar cell. The first solar cell is in a serial connection or a parallel connection with the adjacent second solar cell.