Combining forces in research on the next generation, thin film solar cells, Solliance Solar Research was founded in 2010 with that goal. Solliance Solar Research is a joint venture between the Dutch TNO, the Belgian imec, Holst Centre and ECN (the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands, that became a part of TNO since 1 April 2018. Together with the industrial and academic partners Solliance Solar Research plays a leading role in the worldwide research and development of thin-film solar technology.