A method of manufacturing a solar cell assembly by providing a substrate; depositing on the substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell; mounting a permanent laminate supporting member with a thickness of 50 microns or less on top of the sequence of layers; utilizing the laminate structure for supporting the epitaxial sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell during the processes of removing the substrate and depositing and lithographically patterning a plurality of metal grid lines disposed on the top surface of the first solar subcell, and attaching a cover glass over at least the grid lines of the solar cell.