The invention pertains to a solar cell unit comprising a back electrode, a photovoltaic (PV) layer, and, optionally, a front electrode, with part of the surface of the solar cell unit not generating any energy, characterised in that on at least a portion of the part of the solar cell unit which does not generate any energy a colouring layer is present, while at least a portion of the energy generating part of the solar cell unit is free of a colouring layer. Preferably at least 50%, more preferably, at least 85%, more preferably still, at least 90% of the energy generating part of the solar cell unit is free of a colouring layer. The solar cell unit may be either a wafer-based solar cell unit or a thin film solar cell unit. The colouring layer may be applied on, e.g., the optionally present grid and/or in the case of thin film solar cell units on the part of the surface of the solar cell unit which does not generate any energy as a result of the connection in series.The solar cell unit preferably is made by means of a process where the application of the colouring layer is integrated into the process.The invention provides a coloured solar cell unit where the application of the colour need not be at the expense of the solar cell unit's output.