ClearVue clears way to sell Australian solar glass technology in Europe

Just weeks after Australian company ClearVue won approval to market its solar integrated glass units in the US, the company has cleared the way for sales in Europe, too.

ClearVue said in an ASX announcement on Monday its clear solar glass technology had completed certification from International Electrotechnical Commission or IEC – a Swiss-based EU organisation that sets international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

The company’s executive chair, Victor Rosenberg, said that certifications for sales in Europe and the US were “critical” for the ClearVue in reaching its largest markets.

“Europe and the USA represent the most evolved markets for building integrated photovoltaics sales and uptake – currently these regions combined comprise around 70% of the global market share for BIPV sales,” Rosenberg said.

“Apart from giving complete confidence to end-customers, architects, façade engineers, developers, specifiers etcetera [the certifications] also give potential licensees, whether manufacturers or distributors, confidence that the products can be sold in their territories eliminating a key question when entering into licensing discussions,” he added.

ClearVue’s nano-technology, developed in conjunction with the Electron Science Research Institute (ESRI) at Edith Cowan University, generates electricity from a flat, clear sheet of glass while maintaining transparency.

The idea is to use the PV integrated glass units instead of regular windows for buildings, allowing light to come in, while also producing up to 30 watts per square metre of electricity generation.

The relatively young company listed on the Australian stock exchange in May of 2018, and quickly signed supply deals with eco-home builder Mirreco, and with Global Smart Cities to use its solar glass for outdoor applications such as bus shelters and advertising signs.

In February, the Perth-based company completed its first commercial demonstration – a solar glass atrium at the entrance to the Warwick Grove Shopping Centre in its home city.