A method of manufacturing a metallic article for a photovoltaic cell, the method comprising: providing an electrically conductive mandrel having an outer surface layer comprising a preformed pattern (110, 112); electroforming the metallic article, the metallic article comprising a plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) formed from copper or alloys of copper in the preformed pattern (110, 112) on the outer surface layer of the mandrel, the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) having a first side adjacent to the outer surface layer of the mandrel and a second side opposite the first side; plating a solder on the second side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) while on the mandrel; separating the metallic article from the mandrel, wherein the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) are interconnected such that the metallic article forms a unitary, free-standing piece when separated from the mandrel; and blackening the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) after separating the metallic article from the mandrel, wherein the blackening comprises: dipping the metallic article in a solution comprised of water and a potassium sulfide family to cause a chemical reaction resulting in the blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154); or dipping the metallic article in a solution comprised of nickel ions, reducing agents, complexing agents, neutralizers, a stabilizer, and a brightener to cause a chemical reaction resulting in the blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154); and exposing the metallic article to heat at 80 to 120 degrees Celsius; wherein the solder on the second side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) is not blackened. providing an electrically conductive mandrel having an outer surface layer comprising a preformed pattern (110, 112); electroforming the metallic article, the metallic article comprising a plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) formed from copper or alloys of copper in the preformed pattern (110, 112) on the outer surface layer of the mandrel, the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) having a first side adjacent to the outer surface layer of the mandrel and a second side opposite the first side; plating a solder on the second side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) while on the mandrel; separating the metallic article from the mandrel, wherein the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) are interconnected such that the metallic article forms a unitary, free-standing piece when separated from the mandrel; and blackening the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) after separating the metallic article from the mandrel, wherein the blackening comprises: dipping the metallic article in a solution comprised of water and a potassium sulfide family to cause a chemical reaction resulting in the blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154); or dipping the metallic article in a solution comprised of nickel ions, reducing agents, complexing agents, neutralizers, a stabilizer, and a brightener to cause a chemical reaction resulting in the blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154); and exposing the metallic article to heat at 80 to 120 degrees Celsius; dipping the metallic article in a solution comprised of water and a potassium sulfide family to cause a chemical reaction resulting in the blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154); or dipping the metallic article in a solution comprised of nickel ions, reducing agents, complexing agents, neutralizers, a stabilizer, and a brightener to cause a chemical reaction resulting in the blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154); and exposing the metallic article to heat at 80 to 120 degrees Celsius; wherein the solder on the second side of the plurality of electroformed elements (150, 154) is not blackened.