NOVELTY - The element i.e. transparent electrically conductive electrode assembly (12), has a transparent electrically conductive layer (22) placed over a side (24) of a transparent substrate (20). A hydrophilic oxide coating (34) contacts the layer. A cadmium sulfide layer (36) is placed over and contacts the coating. A removable protective zinc oxide layer is arranged over the coating. The conductive layer has a sufficient thickness to provide a sheet resistance from about 2 ohms-square to about 30 ohms-square. An anti-reflective assembly (26) is placed over another side (28) of the substrate.    USE - Photovoltaic element i.e. transparent electrically conductive electrode assembly, for a thin film photovoltaic solar cell i.e. cadmium sulfide/cadmium telluride based solar cell, in a photovoltaic device. Can also be used in an electrochromic device, an optical sensor, and a LCD.    ADVANTAGE - The element is provided with transparent conductive films on photoactive layers so as to prevent the element from being damaged or contaminated during transport. The zinc oxide layer can be easily removed by weakly acidic aqueous solution or a weak acid such as acetic acid, so that the acidic solution provides hydration of a silicon oxide surface for maintaining hydrophilicity of the solar cell. The hydrophilic oxide coating is placed over the transparent conductive layer, so as to improve the uniformity of additional layers deposited over the hydrophilic oxide coating.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a method for coating a transparent substrate.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic cross sectional view of a thin film photovoltaic solar cell with a transparent electrically conductive electrode assembly.    Transparent electrode assembly (12)    Transparent substrate (20)    Transparent electrically conductive layer (22)    Sides of substrate (24, 28)    Anti-reflective assembly (26)    Hydrophilic oxide coating (34)    Cadmium sulfide layer (36)