IPVF has just signed with its key partners first three research projects for a total amount of about € 30 million. This acts the official start of the Common Research Program. These three projects aim to reduce production costs and increase the conversion efficiency of silicon and chalcogenide thin films based solar cells. A second wave of projects will be signed in early 2015. They will address the area of very high efficiency cells, theory and modeling of photovoltaic phenomena and advanced characterization of solar cells.