The commercial building sector represents a significant potential market for solar photovoltaics in the UK. Two million square metres of new commercial and industrial roofing is built in the UK each year and current available roof space on commercial buildings is estimated to be 240 million square metres 11.

In mainland Europe, principally in Germany and Switzerland, after only a few years the market for solar photovoltaics on commercial buildings has risen to five thousand square metres per year and is worth five million pounds 12. The current market opportunities for expansion have attracted major building industry players to invest in the supply and installation of solar photovoltaics, including the international consulting engineers Ove Arup and Partners; Schüco, a major supplier of facades; and Flagsol, a subsidiary of the major UK glass supplier Pilkingtons.