"This is where the world of commerce has come together with the world of the environment - and it works!" said Mr Beattie. "This sort of development is going to affect your children and your grandchildren. That's why it's so important. That's why this is actually the most important news today." The prototype has since been operational at the Interpretive Centre monitoring and controlling energy and water consumption and integrates a security system and feedback from a 2kW photovoltaic array mounted at the entrance to the Ecovillage, enabling visitors to understand the relative contribution of PV to the Interpretive Centre energy needs.