Tandem Solar Cells for Tomorrow's Modules

Step Into the New Wave of Solar Technologies for a Sustainable World

About Us

Beyond Silicon fuses silicon PV industrial expertise with cutting-edge perovskite innovation to power the energy transition with high-efficiency tandem solar cell technology.

At Beyond Silicon, we believe the future of solar lies beyond silicon itself. Our story began when Jason, after seven years in the silicon PV industry, pursued a PhD with Zak Holman, a leading researcher in photovoltaics. Together, they spent seven years pushing the boundaries of tandem solar technology, uncovering new ways to enhance efficiency and performance. In 2021, they founded Beyond Silicon to transform their scientific breakthroughs into scalable solutions, revolutionizing the solar industry with next-generation tandem solar cells.

Building on this foundation, Beyond Silicon is leading the lab-to-fab transition for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, leveraging Arizona State University’s world-class facilities to accelerate commercialization. With deep knowledge in perovskite materials and device engineering, we have pioneered industrial wafer-scale tandem R&D, ensuring our technology is both scalable and manufacturable. Our innovations have been recognized at the national level—we are the first-ever winner of the DOE Perovskite Startup Countdown Prize, a testament to our leadership in advancing perovskite-silicon tandem technology.

Join us to push boundaries of solar and power a cleaner future!

Our Vision

Power a cleaner, more sustainable future by making solar more efficient, affordable, and accessible.

Our Team

At Beyond Silicon, we’re more than just a team—we’re a group of innovators, problem-solvers, and builders driven by a shared vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future. We bring together perovskite experts, seasoned silicon industry professionals, and talented young graduates with skills in thin-film deposition, interface engineering, solar cell design, and advanced manufacturing. If you're passionate about shaping the future of solar energy, join us!

Our Values

Efficiency - "At Beyond Silicon, efficiency drives everything we do—from how we design solar cells to how we operate as a team. Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s about working smarter, solving problems faster, and maximizing impact with capital efficiency." — Jason

Innovation - "As we work toward building a breakthrough tandem solar cells technology, we keep thinking out of the box to develop new processes, procedures and solutions every week." — Zak

Continuous Growth - "Whether we are gaining new skills or facing challenges, as a team, our growth never stops. We strive to continue our ongoing knowledge." — Chanel

Collective Strength- "We accelerate next-gen tandem solar cell commercialization by relying on each other’s strengths and fostering strong partnerships with leading research groups and industry pioneers." — Wahab

One Team, One Goal- "We work together with a shared vision, supporting one another to achieve our common goals and promoting collective success." —Sajia

Unity Through Diversity - "Coming from all around the world, we value each team member’s perspective, embracing open-mindedness and creative solutions to tackle shared challenges." — Mathilde

Zhengshan (Jason) Yu, PhD

CEO

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Zhengshan (Jason) Yu is a visionary leader in the solar energy industry, serving as Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Silicon. He spearheads the development of advanced solar technologies designed to revolutionize renewable energy solutions and drive global sustainability.

While being a PhD student and later Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University, Jason pioneered perovskite/silicon tandem technology research and created multiple world-record efficiencies for this technology. He also co-founded SunFlex Solar, demonstrating his deep expertise and unwavering commitment to advancing the solar energy industry.

Mathilde Fievez, PhD

Mathilde Fievez is a trailblazer in next-generation solar technologies, combining her Ph.D. in materials science with engineering expertise to design efficient, durable, and scalable photovoltaic cells and modules.

At Beyond Silicon, Mathilde drives tandem cell fabrication with process control and Six Sigma methodology, using AI and machine learning to enhance data insights and fasten solar innovation.

Development Engineer

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Chanel Horner

Chanel Horner, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Arizona State University, brings technical expertise and hands-on experience in analytical chemistry to Beyond Silicon.

Skilled in both vacuum and solution processing, her strong communication and problem-solving abilities make her a valuable contributor to optimizing thin film processes.

Process Technician

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Zachary Holman, PhD

Business Development

Co-founder

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Zachary Holman is a pioneering innovator in renewable energy and materials science, serving as Vice Dean at Arizona State University. He leads initiatives to advance academic excellence and cutting-edge research, bridging academia with real-world impact.

As the Co-Founder of Swift Coat, SunFlex Solar, and Beyond Silicon, Zak leverages his expertise in advanced materials and photovoltaics to develop transformative solar technologies. His dedication to sustainability and collaboration drives his mission to address global energy challenges through innovation.

Sam Kaczaral, PhD

Development Engineer

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Sam Kaczaral received her PhD in Chemical Engineering from CU Boulder where she improved the efficiency, reproducibility, and stability of perovskite solar cells.

At Beyond Silicon, she uses materials innovation to boost tandem cell efficiency and long-term stability.

Sajia Afrin

With an MS in Materials Science and Engineering from ASU, Sajia Afrin specializes in solar cell fabrication and materials characterization.

She uses her thin-film deposition and characterization skills in atomic layer deposition (ALD), sputtering and SEM to contribute to the weekly fabrication of tandem solar cells at Beyond Silicon.

Process Intern

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Nadya Soekardono

Nadya Soekardono graduated in Chemistry from Arizona State University. Her hands on experience in thin-film deposition and characterization brings valuable skills to develop the next generation of tandem solar cells.

Her chemistry background will support the exploration of novel materials, her strong processing and organization skills will lay a valuable platform to scale to wafer sizes, relevant to the tandem commercialization.

Process Technician

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