A solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of elongated solar cells is provided. Each solar cell in the plurality of cells comprises a conductive core configured as a first electrode, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the conductive core, and a TCO layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. The plurality of solar cells is arranged in a parallel manner in pairs on a transparent insulating substrate such that (i) the solar cells in each respective pair are joined together lengthwise by a corresponding counter-electrode, and (ii) solar cells adjacent pairs of solar cells do not touch each other. Each solar cell pair is affixed to the transparent insulating substrate. A first and second solar cell pair is electrically connected in series by an electrical contact that electrically connects the first electrode of each cell in the first pair to the corresponding counter-electrode of the second pair.