TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Alternatively, forming patterned conductor on solar cell, comprises depositing a sacrificial polymer layer over a surface of the solar cell, where the sacrificial polymer layer comprises a water soluble material; curing the sacrificial polymer layer to a substantially solid state; directing a water-based fluid stream at the sacrificial polymer layer; removing a portion of the sacrificial polymer layer, where one or more lines are formed through the sacrificial polymer layer; depositing a metal containing seed layer over the solar cell; introducing a water-based solvent to the solar cell; and dissolving the remaining sacrificial polymer layer to remove a portion of the metal containing layer deposited over the sacrificial polymer layer. Forming patterned conductor on solar cell, comprises depositing a sacrificial polymer layer over an antireflective layer formed over a surface of the solar cell, where the sacrificial polymer layer comprises polyvinyl acetate; heating the sacrificial polymer layer to cure the polymer to a substantially solid state; directing a jet of deionized water at the sacrificial polymer layer; removing a portion of the sacrificial polymer layer by forming one or more lines through the sacrificial polymer layer; laser ablating a portion of the antireflective layer exposed by forming the lines; depositing a metal containing layer over the solar cell; introducing deionized water to the solar cell; and dissolving the remaining sacrificial polymer layer to remove a portion of the metal containing layer deposited over the sacrificial polymer layer. In the method above, the sacrificial polymer layer comprises a water soluble material. The fluid stream comprises a jet of water-based fluid. The water-based fluid is deionized water. Removing a portion of the sacrificial polymer layer includes patterning a series of grooves in the sacrificial polymer. The method further comprises removing a portion of an antireflective layer from the surface of the solar cell. The portion of the antireflective layer is removed via laser ablation. The method further comprises removing a portion of the metal containing layer. Metallic containing layer comprises a seed layer. Metallic containing layer further comprises a barrier layer. The method further comprises removing a portion of a dielectric layer deposited beneath the sacrificial polymer layer; and removing the portion of the dielectric layer through the one or more lines formed through the sacrificial layer. The water-based fluid stream consists of deionized water. The water-based solvent consists of deionized water. The method also comprises depositing a barrier layer over the metal containing seed layer; depositing a metal layer over the barrier layer; and removing a portion of each of the metal layer, the seed layer, and the barrier layer prior to introducing the water-based solvent. The metal containing layer comprises a seed layer, a barrier, layer, and a bulk copper layer.