ASX-listed solar glass and window specialist ClearVue Technologies has had its first integrated solar panel approved for installation on Australian rooftops, just in time to coincide with the expansion of the federal subsidy scheme to commercial and industrial-scale projects.
ClearVue said on Friday that its ClearVue-Helios range has been added to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved products list for solar panels, having also passed testing against international design and safety standards, alongside the CEC’s own consumer protection requirements.
ClearVue-Helios integrated, metal-backed modules are designed to suit existing steel rooftops, with a fully sealed mounting system that “acts as a second roof” for buildings,” the company says.
The range delivers up to 220 watts (W) per square metre and up to 600 W per panel, and each panel has a Class A fire rating, a 30-year performance warranty and a 15-year product warranty.
ClearVue says the CEC listing “matters,” as it is the benchmark that the Australian solar market trusts.
“It tells specifiers, builders and asset owners that a panel has been independently tested and verified as safe, durable and fit for purpose,” the company said in a ASX announcement on Friday.
“In a market with thousands of products, that independent stamp is one of the clearest signals of quality a panel can carry.”
Perth-headquartered ClearVue has made its name in the global market as a pioneer of building-integrated PV (BIPV), whose technology uses patented proprietary glass that allows for both the transmission of light and also the generation of electricity.
ClearVue made major global news headlines in 2023, after it secured its first US order to supply its technology to a greenhouse in California to the tune of $A250,000.
Since then, the company secured its first Australian commercial order during the beginning of 2024 for an education and wellness centre for the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Employees Union’s (CFMEU) in Melbourne.
This was then followed later in the year by an order to supply its technology for the iconic Enex100 building in Perth, a deal which was described by CEO Deli as a “pivotal moment” for the company.
And last year, the company landed a deal to supply its clear solar glass for a high-rise building undergoing a $A308 million facelift in the centre of Sydney, where it will form part of the building’s new rooftop.
The company’s “next-generation” rooftop solar panel was launched last year, engineered specifically for metal roof applications to deliver high energy efficiency and durability while creating a sealed secondary roof and an air gap that the company says can keep buildings up to 30% cooler.
In an Instagram post last year, the CleanVue said the Helios panels could act as a protective layer, extending the lifespan of existing roofs while generating clean power.
A lightweight aluminium back for low-load applications (only 5kg/m2) is also available, but it’s unclear if this version of the technology has CEC approval, or just the metal-back version.
ClearVue CEO and managing director Doug Hunt said on Friday that the CEC listing for ClearVue-Helios was an important – and timely – milestone.
“We believe this strengthens the commercial opportunity for ClearVue-Helios and gives customers greater confidence when specifying our products,” Hunt said in a statement.
“We also noted the government’s announcement … modifying the incentives for commercial solar installations in Australia. The changes mean that upfront incentives can now be applied to commercial installations of up to 1 megawatt (MW) instead of the prior 100 kilowatt (kW) maximum.
“This will reduce the acquisition cost of commercial solar significantly, so the achievement of this certification is timely. Crucially these incentives will lower the acquisition cost of the whole range of ClearVue products for our customers further improving paybacks.”
To join more than 29,000 others and get the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox, for free, click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
