A process for making a photovoltaic cell includes providing a semiconducting substrate having a back side passivation layer, and coating a self-assembling emulsion that includes glass frit particles onto the back side passivation layer. The emulsion is allowed to self-assemble into a network of traces that define cells. An electrode is formed over the network to create a precursor cell, which is then fired to cause the network to burn through the passivation layer and establish electrical contact between the semiconducting substrate and the electrode.