European regulator gives nod to ClearVue’s solar windows

Solar window glass innovator, ClearVue Technologies, now looks set to break into the burgeoning European renewable energy market after meeting all of the requirements of two key International Electrotechnical Commission, or “IEC”, safety standards for its unique solar window glass technology.

ClearVue’s solar Photovoltaic Insulated Glass Unit, or "PV IGU”, was given both IEC 61730 and IEC61215 certification by global technology risk manager, TÜV SÜD, confirming the product’s electrical and safety credentials.

IEC is an international standard setting organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, that prepares and publishes international rules for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

ClearVue engaged TÜV SÜD Shanghai to complete the testing of its PV IGU against the two IEC standards.

The testing protocols developed by TÜV SÜD were put in place over a 12 month period. This is similar to the “UL” safety testing announced late last month, which effectively saw the ASX listed company given the green light to enter the lucrative US renewables sector,

ClearVue said TÜV SÜD would now inspect its original equipment manufacturing factories for quality control.

Once these inspections have been completed, ClearVue will then be permitted to apply the IEC numbers and TUV SUD logo to its products.

The factory inspections will continue on a quarterly basis to ensure ongoing quality control.

The Western Australian-based smart building materials company has developed two unique pieces of technology that, when used together and installed into window glass, covert the glass into a solar energy generating window.

The first of ClearVue’s two products is a thin see-through film that acts as a laminate between two pieces of glass that is capable of drawing and distributing energy from the sun.

It distributes the energy to thin photovoltaic solar strips that act like solar panels when installed around the edges of a window glass pane.

The IEC certification ultimately clears the way for sales of ClearVue’s products into Europe and other international territories.

ClearVue Executive Chairman Victor Rosenberg said: “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 building-integrated PV sales so these certifications are critical for the company in reaching its largest markets.”

“These certifications, apart from giving complete confidence to end-customers, architects, façade engineers, developers and specifiers, also gives 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.”

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