| Abstract: |   A photovoltaic solar cell for generating electricity from sunlight is
     disclosed. The photovoltaic solar cell comprises a plurality of
     spaced-apart point contact junctions formed in a semiconductor body to
     receive the sunlight and generate the electricity therefrom, the
     plurality of spaced-apart point contact junctions having a first
     plurality of regions having a first doping type and a second plurality of
     regions having a second doping type. In addition, the photovoltaic solar
     cell comprises a first electrical contact electrically connected to each
     of the first plurality of regions and a second electrical contact
     electrically connected to each of the second plurality of regions, as
     well as a passivation layer covering major surfaces and sidewalls of the
     photovoltaic solar cell. |