ClearVue makes first Australian solar glass sale

West Perth building materials firm ClearVue has heralded its first Australian product sale, which will involve the installation of power-generating windows on a new union building in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.

The solar window manufacturer’s product will be used on the façade of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union’s $12 million training and wellness centre in Carlton.

The news follows ClearVue Technologies' signing of Victoria-based MS Glass on to manufacture and distribute its products, its first such deal on home soil.

ClearVue chief executive Martin Deil said the contract was an opportunity to spur further interest from Australian architects, manufacturers and construction specialists.

“We are thrilled this first order is with the CFMEU and that the building will be constructed by Kapitol, a group that’s leading the industry in engaging sustainable suppliers on their projects,” he said.

“Our solar glass windows generate the highest energy of any comparable solar glass on the market, with strong insulation and thermal performance, which reduces heating and cooling loads and can be mass produced on a standard unmodified production line.”

Kapitol Group project manager Tom Stephens said sustainability was behind the decision to utilise ClearVue’s product.

“Engaging with suppliers like ClearVue means we can build more sustainable buildings that will minimise their environmental impact for decades to come,” he said.

ClearVue’s solar power-generating windows use nanotechnology to catch sunlight and redirect it towards photovoltaic modules around the edge of the glass.

The company has long been touted for its growth potential but that has been tempered by its lack of product sales among investor circles.

Wheels have begun to turn in recent months, however, with the firm in October last year winning a $252,000 contract to have its product installed on a greenhouse in California.

ClearVue’s glass is expected to generation 107,000 kilowatt-hours annually for the greenhouse.

A greenhouse trial at Murdoch University found the technology could reduce energy use by up to 40 per cent compared to conventional glazing and harvested about 19kWh of energy.

One month after the California news, the company brokered a five-year distribution deal with US glazier 8G Solutions in Colorado, Missouri, Kansas and Arizona.

The new union centre is being built on top of an existing two-storey heritage building, the façade of which will be retained.

Installation of the solar façade, the first of its kind in Australia, is expected to take place in April.

ClearVue’s shares have doubled from 30 cents to 60 cents since the US contract in October, and are up 17 per cent in the past five days.