A biomimetic light harvesting and energy conversion unit is constructed by a modular self-organization methodology. A self-assembled antenna aggregate mimics the supramolecular light-harvesting structures of phototrophic bacteria, and an embedded reaction center model acts both as an energy acceptor and a charge transfer dyad. This unit can be viewed as a conceptual approach to self-assembled supramolecular solar cells, utilizing bio-inspired materials as a starting point for advanced solar energy conversion units. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.