A method of fabricating a space solar array panel comprising: providing first and second solar cells (203, 206) each having at least first and second spaced apart electrical contacts of first polarity on the top or light-facing surface thereof, and a third electrical contact of a second polarity on the bottom surface thereof; automatically positioning the first solar cell to a first position with the bottom surface of the first solar cell positioned on a first assembly fixture; automatically positioning a first electrically conductive end portion of an electrical interconnect fabrication ribbon over the first solar cell positioned on the first assembly fixture; automatically bonding a first end portion of a first electrical interconnect ribbon disposed on the interconnect fabrication ribbon to the first electrical contact on the first solar cell; moving the first solar cell to a second position adjacent to the first position on the first assembly fixture; positioning a second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell on the first assembly fixture over the interconnect fabrication ribbon; and bonding a second electrically conductive end portion of the first electrical interconnect ribbon to the third electrical contact of the second solar cell, thereby making a series electrical connection of the first solar cell with the second solar cell, wherein the first and second electrical contacts on the top surface of each solar cell (203, 206) comprise at least two parallel equally spaced apart strips forming first and second bus bars extending from one edge of each solar cell (203, 206) to the opposite edge, and wherein positioning the first electrically conductive end portion of the electrical interconnect fabrication ribbon over the first solar cell positioned on the first assembly fixture includes positioning a first interconnect fabrication ribbon over one of the parallel contact strips, and positioning a second interconnect fabrication ribbon automatically over the second of the parallel contact strips, and the first and second interconnect fabrication ribbons (205a, 205b) are automatically bonded to the first and second parallel contact strips by ultrasonic or parallel gap welding, and the second portion of the electrical interconnect fabrication ribbon is bonded to the third electrical contact of the second solar cell by ultrasonic or parallel gap welding. providing first and second solar cells (203, 206) each having at least first and second spaced apart electrical contacts of first polarity on the top or light-facing surface thereof, and a third electrical contact of a second polarity on the bottom surface thereof; automatically positioning the first solar cell to a first position with the bottom surface of the first solar cell positioned on a first assembly fixture; automatically positioning a first electrically conductive end portion of an electrical interconnect fabrication ribbon over the first solar cell positioned on the first assembly fixture; automatically bonding a first end portion of a first electrical interconnect ribbon disposed on the interconnect fabrication ribbon to the first electrical contact on the first solar cell; moving the first solar cell to a second position adjacent to the first position on the first assembly fixture; positioning a second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell on the first assembly fixture over the interconnect fabrication ribbon; and bonding a second electrically conductive end portion of the first electrical interconnect ribbon to the third electrical contact of the second solar cell, thereby making a series electrical connection of the first solar cell with the second solar cell, wherein the first and second electrical contacts on the top surface of each solar cell (203, 206) comprise at least two parallel equally spaced apart strips forming first and second bus bars extending from one edge of each solar cell (203, 206) to the opposite edge, and wherein positioning the first electrically conductive end portion of the electrical interconnect fabrication ribbon over the first solar cell positioned on the first assembly fixture includes positioning a first interconnect fabrication ribbon over one of the parallel contact strips, and positioning a second interconnect fabrication ribbon automatically over the second of the parallel contact strips, and the first and second interconnect fabrication ribbons (205a, 205b) are automatically bonded to the first and second parallel contact strips by ultrasonic or parallel gap welding, and the second portion of the electrical interconnect fabrication ribbon is bonded to the third electrical contact of the second solar cell by ultrasonic or parallel gap welding.