PV seems to be entering a new market phase. PVPS is considering how it can best assist the emerging markets.

The focus of follow-on activities to Task 7, the PVPS activity on PV in the built environment, which is shortly to conclude its work, is currently under discussion.

With Japan’s main rooftop deployment programme due for completion in the next year (and Germany’s the year after), it is unclear precisely how PV deployment is likely to be driven in future: by individual project developers, through community initiatives or via continued large-scale (national) programmes. What is clear is that project sizes are increasing and use is becoming more mainstream, moving from the ‘technology innovators’ to ‘early-adopters’. Furthermore, all of the deployment approaches will involve the participation of those involved in the building industry, though the precise functions required vary: at the individual project level, innovative products suitable for sustainable buildings are required whereas on the (national) market level low-cost solutions with well-understood warrantees are required. The project level will require participation of fore-running architects, whereas the community level will require more emphasis on urban design and planning.

Over the next year, the structure of a proposed 'Task 10' focusing on the needs of the newly emerging largescale built-environment markets will be defined. PV Power will keep its readers informed of developments

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