Abstract: Photovoltaic cells can be manufactured using a pattern region that substantially covers the usable surface area of a crystalline workpiece. Bars can be etched into the workpiece that extend substantially the entire length of the workpiece. These bars then can be diced to form die or micro-tiles having a width substantially equal to the thickness of the workpiece, and having an edge ratio of about 20:1 or less. Such a process can maximize conversion area, thereby extracting more energy from a given volume of photovoltaic conversion material. Contacts can be placed on opposing edges of the die or micro-tiles to form photovoltaic cells, which in some embodiments can function regardless of orientation in a solar panel.