There are three major markets for terrestrial PV systems:
1) power sources for consumer products;
2) remote and isolated applications, including those in developing countries; and
3) utility power generation facilities. Today and for the next few years: 1) and 2) will dominate the market. Government programs will begin to bring electric service to isolated villages in significant numbers around the world. Utility involvement in developed countries will include
installation of significant numbers (thousands) of isolated systems in area 2) and many demonstration and proof-of-concept projects in area 3). In the intermediate term (five to 20 years), 2) is expected to grow significantly, both in developed and in developing countries. In addition, projects in area 3) will show a healthy increase, primarily for peak shaving of electric loads, demand-side management, and distributed generation facilities. Government support programs, especially in the developed countries, are expected to help accelerate area 3) installations. Also, the environmental benefits of PV-powered systems will provide a powerful incentive to move toward renewables in general.