A process for the formation of an electrically conductive silver back electrode of a PERC silicon solar cell comprising the steps: (1) providing a p-type silicon wafer having on its front-side an n-type emitter with an ARC layer thereon and on its back-side a perforated dielectric passivation layer with local BSF contacts at the places of the perforations, (2) applying and drying a silver paste to form a silver back electrode pattern connecting the local BSF contacts on the back-side of the silicon wafer, and (3) firing the dried silver paste, whereby the wafer reaches a peak temperature of 700 to 900° C., wherein the silver paste has no or only poor fire-through capability and comprises particulate silver and an organic vehicle.