A multi-level photovoltaic cell comprises a substrate layer and a plurality of photovoltaic cells positioned above the substrate layer. Each photovoltaic cell has a top contact layer and a bottom contact layer connected in series such that the top contact layer of the first photovoltaic cell is connected to the bottom contact layer of a next photovoltaic cell until the last photovoltaic cell is connected. A different voltage is output between the substrate layer and the top contact layer of each photovoltaic cell. Another multi-level photovoltaic cell comprises a substrate layer and a plurality of photovoltaic cells stacked vertically above the substrate layer. Each photovoltaic cell comprises an active layer separated from the next photovoltaic cell by an etch stop layer until a last photovoltaic cell is reached. A different voltage is output between the substrate layer and the active layer of each photovoltaic cell.