NOVELTY - The solar cell (C) has a first electric contact (9) and a second electric contact (8) provided on front side (C') and rear side (C'') of solar cell, respectively. A second electric contact point (304) is placed on bottom surface of a groove (305) which opens to front side of solar cell and which extends to the rear portion (303) of a semiconductor substrate (4). The electrical connection between second electric contact and contact point is provided by the rear portion of substrate.    USE - Solar cell for solar cell assembly (claimed) used for e.g. power generation in space.    ADVANTAGE - Reduces handling steps during the manufacturing process and thus accelerates the manufacturing process of solar cell assembly since contact bonding steps during the manufacturing process of solar cell array is performed without turning the solar cell. The testing and repairing of single solar cells in solar cell assembly is made very easy since contacts of both polarities of the solar cells in solar cell assembly are accessible from the front side. Allows lateral contacting of the solar cell since groove is provided on lateral side of solar cell to open to the lateral side. The provision of cover glass limits radiation damage of the cells when solar cell is used in space. Allows relative lateral movement of the cover member and interconnector in case of thermal expansion of the cells when cover member is mounted to the interconnector in flexible manner. Provides easy and safe way of grounding the conductive coating of cover glass since front surface of cover glass is provided with conductive coating which is connected to metalized portion of side wall of the cover glass adjacent to the groove accommodating one of the second electric contact pads and metalized portion is electrically connected to first electric contact pad. Allows fast and reliable automatic manufacturing of the solar cell assembly.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a solar cell assembly;    (2) a method of manufacturing a solar cell assembly; and    (3) a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell assembly.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross sectional view through a solar cell.    Semiconductor substrate (4)    Second electric contact (8)    First electric contact (9)    Rear portion (303)    Second electric contact point (304)    Groove (305)    Rear side (C'')    Front side (C')    Solar cell (C)