Solar cell, especially a multi-junction solar cell, for space applications

The invention refers to a solar cell (14), especially a multi-junction solar cell. The solar cell (14) according to the invention comprises a first main surface (31) and a second main surface (32) opposite to the first main surface (31) of a semiconductor body (27) wherein a topmost pn-junction (1) of an amount of pn-junctions (1, 2, 3) stacked on top of each other adjoins to the first main surface (31). It furthermore comprises a cell edge (33) of the semiconductor body (27) defining a shape of the first and the second main surfaces (31, 32) and thus the solar cell. An encapsulant (16) is provided on the first main surface (31) for providing an environmental protection of the semiconductor body (27). A mesa groove (19) is provided on the first main surface (31) and penetrates at least the topmost pn-junction (1). The mesa groove (19) is located adjacent to the cell edge (33) and is created around the circumference of the semiconductor body (27) for providing an inner cell area and a mesa wall (20), the mesa wall (20) being created between the mesa groove (19) and the cell edge (33). The mesa groove (19) is filled with the encapsulant (16).