a solar cell is disclosed wherein both the emitter and the base electrical contacts for a solar cell are disposed on the back major surface . holes extend through the back major surface and the base layer to the emitter layer . the walls of the holes are doped to the same conductivity as the front emitter layer . emitter contacts are deposited on the back major surface of the cell and extend into the holes making electrical contact to the emitter layer for collecting light generated current carriers . the base contacts are also disposed on the back major surface , and antireflection coatings are deposited on the emitter front major layer . consequently , the front of the solar cell can be made smooth and therefore , a specularly reflective solar cell results .