The method for manufacturing a solar cell includes: forming a first semiconductor layer of first conductivity type on a surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming a lift-off layer containing a silicon-based material on the first semiconductor layer; selectively removing the lift-off layer and first semiconductor layer; forming a second semiconductor layer of second conductivity type on a surface having the lift-off layer and first semiconductor layer; and removing the second semiconductor layer covering the lift-off layer by removing the lift-off layer using an etching solution. The linear expansion coefficients of the semiconductor substrate and the lift-off layer satisfy the relational expression: the linear expansion coefficient of the lift-off layer