NOVELTY - A solar cell apparatus comprises a solar cell (20) on support substrate (10); a polymer resin layer (30) on solar cell; protective panel (40) on polymer resin layer; and composite protective layer (50) at each lateral side of support substrate, solar cell, polymer resin layer and protective panel, where solar cell comprises back electrode layer on support substrate; light absorbing layer on back electrode layer; and front electrode layer on light absorbing layer. The composite protective layer comprises metal layer (51) and a metal oxide layer (52) on the metal layer.    USE - As solar cell apparatus (claimed) for fabricating solar cells used to convert light energy into electrical energy by using photovoltaic effect.    ADVANTAGE - The solar cell apparatus has improved performance; and is capable of improving the reliability and stability. In the apparatus, a composite protective layer including metal layer and metal oxide layer is formed at a lateral side of the solar cell thereby minimizing infiltration of moisture or oxygen into the solar cell and preventing degradation of electric characteristics of the solar cell. The solar cell apparatus uses composite protective layer, which has chemical or physical compactness higher than that of conventional protective layer, so the stability and reliability of the device is improved. The composite protective layer can be formed by simply oxidizing an inexpensive metal, so the cost for materials and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The polymer resin layer disposed between the solar cell and protective panel improves the adhesive strength of protective panel and protects solar cell from external impact.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of fabricating the solar cell apparatus involving forming a solar cell on support substrate; forming polymer resin layer on solar cell; forming protective panel on polymer resin layer; and forming composite protective layer at each lateral side of support substrate, solar cell, polymer resin layer and protective panel, where the step of forming of composite protective layer involves forming metal layer at each lateral side of support substrate, solar cell, polymer resin layer and protective panel; and forming metal oxide layer by oxidizing the metal layer. The step of forming of the metal layer involves preparing aluminum paste composition; coating the aluminum paste composition on each lateral side of the solar cell, the polymer resin layer and the protective panel; and baking the coated aluminum paste composition.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows sectional view of solar cell apparatus.    Support substrate (10)    Solar cell (20)    Polymer resin layer (30)    Protective panel (40)    Composite protective layer (50)    Metal layer (51)    Metal oxide layer (52)