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 ; electroforming the metallic article , the metallic article comprising a plurality of electroformed elements formed from copper or alloys of copper in the preformed pattern on the outer surface layer of the mandrel , the plurality of electroformed elements 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 while on the mandrel ; separating the metallic article from the mandrel , wherein the plurality of electroformed elements 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 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 ; 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 ; 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 is not blackened. providing an electrically conductive mandrel having an outer surface layer comprising a preformed pattern ; electroforming the metallic article , the metallic article comprising a plurality of electroformed elements formed from copper or alloys of copper in the preformed pattern on the outer surface layer of the mandrel , the plurality of electroformed elements 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 while on the mandrel ; separating the metallic article from the mandrel , wherein the plurality of electroformed elements 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 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 ; 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 ; 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 ; 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 ; 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 is not blackened. <EOS>