In the UK, both industry and the Government have ignored the benefits of photovoltaics and there is only one major solar building in existence. However, solar powered buildings have existed for years in continental Europe, for such diverse uses as schools, universities, office headquarters, hotels, factories, libraries, railway stations and government and municipal offices. The first European solar building was constructed in Germany in 1983. Detailed on the following pages are just a few examples of photovoltaics in operation.