I recently read through a report on the market penetration of Passive House buildings in various European countries. The growth over the past couple of years, especially in Austria, is staggering. In the Austrian states of Vienna, Tyrol and Voralberg (combined population of ~3.4 million), the new construction market share for residential Passive Houses (townhouses, apartments, single-family, etc.) was about 25% in 2009 and was expected to grow to over 30% in 2010! In addition, Passive House-style retrofits are just now starting to take off.

This is not a fringe movement.

You can download the full report from PASS-NET, the European alliance of Passive House organizations.