Solar module manufacturing methods for manufacturing a solar electric module including photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying an interconnect material to a flexible electrical backplane having preformed conductive interconnect circuitry to form interconnect attachments. The method aligns an array of back contact PV cells with the interconnect attachments. Conductive pathways are formed between the PV cells and the conductive interconnects of the flexible electrical backplane. The method applies an encapsulant material to fill spaces formed between the PV cells and the flexible electrical backplane to form a solar cell subassembly, which is incorporated into a solar electric module.