NOVELTY - Manufacturing a solar cell comprises depositing multiple semiconductor layers (104, 105), forming a backside contact layer (123) , forming a back cathode contact isolated from a first portion of the backside contact layer, in which the first portion forms an anode contact, and etching a trench (510) to define active portion of solar cell with a mesa structure. The mesa has a first sidewall in the trench and a lateral peripheral region beyond the sidewall. An electrically conductive pad (409) is formed in the lateral peripheral region between the front electrode and the back cathode contact.    USE - Method of manufacturing a solar cell (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The formation of conductive pad on the backside of the cell electrically connected to the front electrode by a conductive path realized in a peripheral region outside the cell's active area can provide a secure and robust co-located interconnection. The manufacturing method is reliable, cost-effective and easy to perform. The solar cell of mesa type has a structure of the opposite polarity electrodes, which can be defined with geometries and dimensions such that standard lithography can be used, and, preferably, can be manufactured by using less costly etching processes, such as selective wet chemical etching.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Manufacturing a solar cell comprises depositing sequentially on first substrate multiple semiconductor layers (104, 105) each comprising a first layer and a last layer in the direction of deposition. A backside contact layer (123) is formed on the last semiconductor layer. A back cathode contact isolated from at least a first portion of the backside contact layer is formed on the last semiconductor layer, in which the first portion forms an anode contact. A second substrate is attached on the backside contact layer and the first substrate is removed to expose the first semiconductor layer and to define a front surface and an opposite back surface of a solar cell. A front cathode contact is formed on the front surface of the solar cell. A first trench (510) is etched through the semiconductor layers to define an active portion of the solar cell with a first mesa structure including the front cathode contact and the anode contact and being surrounded by the first trench. The first mesa has a first sidewall in the first trench and a lateral peripheral region beyond the sidewall. An electrically conductive pad (409) is formed in the lateral peripheral region between the front electrode and the back cathode contact. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for solar cell comprising an active portion comprising a semiconductor body (110) being surrounded by peripheral sidewalls, a front cathode contact, an anode contact, and a back cathode contact electrically connected to the front cathode contact by an electrically conductive layer extending along a sidewall of peripheral sidewalls. The semiconductor body is a vertically stacked structure comprising epitaxially grown layers, each layer being made of III-V group compound semiconductor material.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is a cross-sectional view of the portion of layered structure.    Semiconductor layers (104, 105)    Semiconductor body (110)    Backside contact layer (123)    Electrically conductive pad (409)    First trench (510)