NOVELTY - The cell (100) has a functional layer e.g. light-absorbing silicon layer (106), formed over a substrate (102). A transparent conformal layer (108) is deposited between the substrate and the functional layer and made of a thin metal-based material with low resistivity to electrical current. The substrate is made of material e.g. glass, quartz and sapphire. A metal layer (110) defines a patterned circuit. Thickness of the conformal layer is less than 100 nm. The conformal layer provides a pathway along which the electrical current is transmitted through the cell.    USE - Solar cell use with a powering device, powering multi-touch screen, flat panel display, touch screen, consumer product e.g. mobile device and medical device, and a lighting device e.g. powering signage and street light (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The functional layer is formed over the substrate to facilitate conversion of external radiation into electrical current and provide electrical connection along the cell in an effective manner. The transparent conformal layer is deposited between the substrate and the functional layer and made of the material with low resistivity to electrical current so as to minimize disruption while improving overall transmission of the electrical current from the functional layer along the conformal layer such that more electrical current can be available for use. The conformal layer can act to facilitate the conversion of light energy into electrical current while minimizing the energy loss such that the overall conversion efficiency of the cell can be improved. The cell can be provided with improved ohmic contact to the interconnect and manufactured at relatively lower cost. The cell is designed such that increase in active area can be added to a solar panel so as to provide low voltage output per cell due to fewer cells per panel in series, thus connecting the panels to a single inverter.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (1) a method for manufacturing a solar cell    (2) a method for converting light radiation to electrical energy.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a perspective view of a solar cell.    Solar cell (100)    Substrate (102)    Light-absorbing silicon layer (106)    Transparent conformal layer (108)    Metal layer (110)