Method for manufacturing a photovoltaic element comprising a layered structure of at least a first electrically conductive layer, a layer of crystalline metal oxide semiconductor material deposited thereon, a second electrically conductive layer and an electrolytic liquid between the layer of semiconductor material and the second electrically conductive layer, wherein at least one of the electrically conductive layers is transparent and is deposited on a transparent substrate, comprising of (i) providing a layer of crystalline metal oxide semiconductor material on a first electrically conductive layer and providing an electrically conductive layer; (ii) arranging an edge zone of a thermoplastic adhesive material round the deposited layer of semiconductor material; (iii) arranging the second respectively the first electrically conductive layer over said edge zone; (iv) locally heating at least a first part of the edge zone and simultaneously exerting pressure locally on the surface of this first part to cause the adhesive to adhere to the first and second conductive layer in order to form a partially bounded space; (v) introducing an electrolytic liquid into said space, wherein the second electrically conductive layer is spatially separated by this liquid from the layer of semiconductor material; and (vi) locally heating the remaining part of the edge zone not yet heated in the fourth step and simultaneously exerting pressure locally on the surface of this remaining part to cause the adhesive to adhere to the first and second conductive layer and to enclose the liquid.