Australian solar glass company lands another US greenhouse order

Perth based smart building materials company ClearVue Technologies says it has landed a repeat order for its clear solar glass solutions for greenhouses from the United States.

The ClearVue solar glazing technology allows visible light to pass through a pane of glass while the invisible wavelengths of light are deflected to the edges of the glass where they are then converted into electricity.

The company bills the technology as “a paradigm shift in the way glass will be used in building construction, automobiles, agriculture and specialty products.” Now it is trying to ensure the technology is both in demand and profitable.

The company landed its first commercial order in the United States in late-2023 from Greenhouse System USA, a leading provider of greenhouse solutions in North America.

The $250,000 order saw ClearVue’s single glazing laminate integrated into an existing greenhouse structure to provide approximately 82kW of solar power, capable of generating an estimated 107,000kWh per year.

Greenhouse System has now placed a second order worth around $175,000 for a second demonstrator greenhouse to be used by its parent company to exhibit and highlight the benefits of ClearVue’s solar glass technology.

“Our experience with ClearVue’s solar glazing technology has clearly been positive,” said Peter Fryn, president of System USA.

“We are excited to further integrate ClearVue’s solutions into our greenhouse projects. This second order marks another step forward in our partnership and commitment to sustainable agriculture.”

ClearVue’s first demonstration clear solar glass greenhouse, installed in Western Australia in 2021, was shown to have cut the agrivoltaic facility’s energy use by roughly 40 per cent compared to a conventionally glazed alternative.

“The global market for solar greenhouses is a critical part of our growth strategy,” said Martin Deil, global CEO of ClearVue Technologies.

“Our immediate focus is on the US market where we can leverage government incentives for renewable energy solutions in agriculture. 

“This repeat order validates our technology and strengthens our relationship with a key player in the US greenhouse industry. (It) will enable System USA to show how our technology … can provide sustainable, year-round crop production, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering energy costs. “