An apparatus and method of manufacturing a thermoelectric module is provided. A first electrically conductive pattern (22) is defined on a first substrate (20) and a second electrically conductive pattern (23) is defined on a second substrate (21). Alternating bars (54, 55) of a first thermoelectric material and a second thermoelectric material are arranged parallel to each other. The bars are fixed into place on the first conductive pattern by an effective thermal and electrical connection with the conductive pattern. One such connection means is soldering. Then the bars are separated into elements (64, 65). The second substrate is positioned over the elements and fixed to the elements to complete the manufacture of the TEM.