An apparatus and a method are proposed for aligning and fixing a ribbon onto the groove of a solar cell for avoiding undue stress on the ribbon as well as crystal damage of the solar cells by hardening of the ribbon. The apparatus includes a frame, a leading arm, and a trailing arm, the leading and trailing arms being movably mounted on at least one linear guide arranged on said frame. The apparatus further provides for upward and downward movement of the at least one linear guide, and a shear for cutting said ribbon. Both the leading arm and the trailing arm have a gripper for gripping the ribbon. These grippers are provided to apply a predetermined longitudinal tension to the ribbon when the leading and trailing arms are moved relative to one another.