Laser machining systems and methods may use one or more moving laser scanning stages with force cancellation. The force cancellation is provided by moving masses linearly with equal and opposition motion. One or more of the masses may be a laser scanning stage. The laser machining systems may be used to scribe one or more lines in large flat workpieces such as solar panels. In particular, laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe lines in thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with accuracy, high speed and reduced cost.