Buildings as renewable energy hubs in clear view of smart window company – pv magazine Australia

July 4, 2024 Eva Foley

Perth-based intelligent building envelope solutions company ClearVue Technologies has secured a further order from commercial greenhouse solutions provider System USA to build a demonstration showroom.

This is a continuation of the cooperation concluded in early 2024 with the American company producing glazed windows LuxWall, the aim of which was to develop and introduce to the market a window combining ClearVue glazing, generating solar energy, with advanced LuxWall vacuum insulating glazing.

The Zero Window™ solution is expected to deliver lower heating and cooling costs and offset the building’s energy needs through on-site renewable energy generation.

ClearVue Technologies CEO Martin Deil said the combination of both technologies would create a benchmark solution that would revolutionize the way buildings are designed and constructed.

“Window Zero will truly be a net zero focused window, reducing carbon emissions through thermal insulation and energy generation,” Deil said.

In April 2024, ClearVue received its first commercial order in Australia from construction company Kapitol Group to install second-generation building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) windows on the façade of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Employees Union’s (CFMEU) new training and wellness centre in Carlton, Victoria.

In addition, this is the first installation of its kind in Australia. ClearVue technology and product generate up to 30 watts per square metre across nine units installed there.

The glass unit contains a layer of micro- and nanoparticles that reflect the sun’s ultraviolet light (converted to near-infrared) and infrared light towards the built-in solar cells.

The rays are converted into energy, while transmitting up to 70% of visible light and providing a significant 22.8% reduction in solar heat.

ClearVue says the CFMEU installation will save 94.8 kg of carbon per year, based on solar cell testing results that showed nine solar windows produced 400 Wp of peak power.

Tests conducted at Murdoch University in Perth confirmed that the sustained power output is sufficient to cover costs, reduce air conditioning demand and power internal devices such as fans, alarm systems and battery charging systems.

Deil said the CFMEU project demonstrates that the technology can be easily integrated into designs, as well as the value of unique solar glass and solutions for forward-thinking architects, façade manufacturers and construction professionals.

ClearVue’s Solar Vision glass has also passed fire safety tests, another achievement for BIPV vehicles.

“Fire resistance and flammability of building materials have long been a major obstacle for the construction industry to adopt BIPV technologies, as they are unable to meet the same fire safety criteria as non-solar building materials,” Deil said.

In June 2024, the company announced that it had expanded its solar product offering to include solar panels, solar cladding, and architectural BIPV glass for skylights and balustrades.

ClearVue also developed new sales tools, including thermal modeling software called High-Rise Archetype-3, which demonstrates how the company’s Power Façade products can improve thermal performance, energy production and consumption in a 40-story office building.