NOVELTY - Forming patterned layer from common layer (34) e.g. conductive layer, in photovoltaic application, involves making first pass with first laser beam on an area of common layer; and making second pass with second laser beam on the same area of common layer; where first and second passes provide first and second levels of electrical isolation, respectively, between first portion (34a) and second portion (34b) of common layer. The second level of electrical isolation is greater than first level of electrical isolation. The patterned layer forms portions of solar cell (30) on rigid substrate.    USE - For forming patterned layer from common layer (e.g. conductive layer) in a photovoltaic application, to form portions of solar cell on a rigid substrate, and particularly to form electrically-isolated layer(s) of material on the substrate (claimed); and for forming patterned layer from common layer (e.g. intrinsic layer, semiconductor layer or semiconductor junction between solar cells) in photovoltaic applications.    ADVANTAGE - The method laser scribes layers in solar cells, using multiple passes of lasers to provide different electrical isolation levels between portions of layer.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Forming patterned layer from common layer (34) (preferably conductive layer) on substrate in photovoltaic application, involves making a first pass with first laser beam on an area of common layer; and making a second pass with second laser beam on the same area of common layer; where first and second passes provide first and second levels of electrical isolation, respectively, between first portion (34a) and second portion (34b) of common layer. The second level of electrical isolation is greater than first level of electrical isolation. The patterned layer forms portions of solar cell (30) on rigid substrate. The method forms electrically-isolated layer(s) of material on the substrate. The substrate preferably has a Young's modulus of greater than or equal to20 GPa. The first laser beam or the second laser beam, is preferably generated by a pulsed laser.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-sectional view of a method step for forming a patterned layer, applied to multiple layers disposed on a rigid substrate in a solar cell.    Solar cell (30)    Layers on solar cell (32, 34)    Portions of solar cell (34a, 34b)    Trench. (36)