A method for laser separation of a thin film structure with multi junction photovoltaic materials. The method includes providing an optically transparent substrate having a thickness, a back surface region, and a front surface region including an edge region. The method further includes forming a thin film structure including a conductive layer on the optical transparent substrate. The conductive layer immediately overlies the front surface region. Additionally, the method includes aligning a laser beam with a beam spot on a first portion of the edge region from the back surface region through the thickness of the optically transparent substrate. The method further includes subjecting at least partially the conductive layer overlying the first portion via absorbed energy from the laser beam to separate an edge portion of the thin film structure from the first portion of the edge region.