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Konstanz, Germany – 15/06/2026 – The European Horizon Europe project LEEMONS (Low-Energy Electron Multiplication On Nanostructured Solar Cells) has reached an important milestone with its mid-term General Assembly hosted by ISC Konstanz. Project partners from across Europe gathered in Konstanz to review the scientific progress achieved during the first 18 months of the project and to define the strategy for the next phase.
LEEMONS investigates a fundamentally different approach to increasing the efficiency of silicon solar cells. Unlike tandem solar cells, which rely on stacking multiple absorber materials, LEEMONS explores the potential of carrier multiplication in nanostructured silicon. The concept aims to utilise the excess energy of high-energy photons to generate multiple charge carriers instead of losing this energy through thermalisation as heat.
If successfully demonstrated, this approach could provide an attractive pathway towards higher photovoltaic efficiencies while maintaining compatibility with existing silicon manufacturing infrastructure.
During the meeting, the consortium reviewed significant progress in implantation masking approaches, nanostructure integration and advanced solar cell processing. The partners agreed that the coming months will focus on validating the most promising process routes and obtaining convincing proof-of-concept electrical results.
ISC Konstanz plays a key role in the project by leading the work packages dedicated to the integration and optimisation of n-type solar cells. The institute is investigating how the LEEMONS nanolayer can be incorporated into its industrially relevant IBC-ZEBRA solar cell technology while maintaining high device performance. Several promising mitigation strategies are currently under evaluation to address integration challenges associated with thermal budgets and metallisation processes.
"LEEMONS explores a highly innovative concept that could open entirely new perspectives for silicon photovoltaics," said Lejo Joseph, Board Member and Head of Solar Cell Development at ISC Konstanz. "The project demonstrates how European collaboration can address ambitious scientific challenges by combining complementary expertise from materials science to industrially relevant solar cell processing."
The LEEMONS consortium currently brings together SEGTON Advanced Technology (coordinator), CEA, ISC Konstanz, ROLTEC and The Marie and Louis Pasteur -University, formerly University of Franche-Comté , CSEM (Switzerland). The project is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and runs until October 2027.
As the project enters its second half, the consortium will focus on validating the underlying concept and strengthening the scientific understanding required to unlock the potential of carrier multiplication for future high-efficiency silicon solar cells.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
About ISC Konstanz e.V. – Partner for high-efficiency solar manufacturing worldwide
The International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz e.V. (ISC Konstanz) is a research institute for the development of solar cells, solar modules and renewable energy systems. It was founded in 2005 as a non-profit association. The team of more than 70 scientists, engineers and students works together with leading international institutes and companies in the photovoltaic industry on national and international research projects.
