A method of manufacturing electrically interconnected solar cell assemblies, including the steps of: positioning at least a first interconnect element (64) in an alignment feature of a top carrier and facing a top surface of a first photovoltaic cell (60); adhering the first interconnect element to a location on the top surface of the first cell, wherein a length of the first interconnect element extends beyond a trailing edge (68) of the first cell; and adhering a portion of the length of the first interconnect element that extends beyond a trailing edge of the first cell to the bottom surface of a second cell (62). In one aspect, a system is provided for assembling solar cell strings, including cell transfer equipment, a bottom pallet including grooves, multiple top pallets including grooves, an adhesive dispensing system, a ribbon supply mechanism, and a system for moving ribbons and top pallets.