Scotland is extremely suitable for the development of solar power technologies, due to its long hours of daylight. Solar applications are usually small scale and can supply power as electricity or heat. Traditionally applications have been deployed off grid, backed up by battery storage. Photovoltaic technologies offer the opportunity for integration of the technology within building materials. The expansion of the UK solar market has been slower than in other countries such as Germany or Japan, and depends on the creation of a viable installer network and reducing capital costs.