ClearVue aims solar products at modular housing market

ClearVue Technologies is looking to grab a foothold in Australia’s modular housing market for its solar building products after securing its first sales order as part of a pilot home prototype to be built by early next year.

The energy-efficient building products provider is aiming to produce net-zero outcomes for the prototype to be fitted with its revolutionary solar products after securing a maiden agreement with Australian prefabricated home manufacturer, Prefabulous.

ClearVue Technologies is aiming to enter Australia’s modular housing market with its “game-changing” integrated solar building products.

The company’s building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) products consist of solar vision glass and cladding units. Management says the prototype modular home, aptly-titled “FabZero”, will trial its products in what it hopes will be a precursor to its solar units being offered as standard fare in the Prefabulous-designed range.

The modular housing market is estimated to be worth a whopping $15.4 billion this year.

‘It expands our reach by allowing us to enter a new market.’

ClearVue Technologies global chief executive officer Martin Deil

ClearVue says offering a standard-sized range would help provide ongoing demand for its products and a consistent sales outcome, in comparison to only providing a bespoke design for each individual project.

The company says the pilot home is a significant step forward for its plans to enter a major new market for its BIPV product range and its push for net-zero emissions that can result from the integration of its modern solar technology into building surfaces – specifically glass and building facades.

ClearVue Technologies global chief executive officer Martin Deil said: “First, it expands our reach by allowing us to enter a new market that also simplifies the pathway for mass adoption of our BIPV solutions for use in modular construction, including to meet the needs of the mainstream housing sector. Second, by integrating our solar glazing and cladding products into Prefabulous’ modular housing units, we are also supporting the development of sustainable, energy-efficient homes that align with global net zero goals.”

Management from both companies have stated a shared vision to deliver net-zero solutions and say the planned pilot home is a pivotal moment in their pursuit to reduce emissions.

ClearVue’s power-generating solar PV integrated glazing units (IGUs) – also referred to as BIPVs – are windows that essentially act like solar panels. The solar windows stay transparent, yet can generate electricity by using the power of the sun to make a building more energy-efficient.

An IGU is a clear, double-glazed glass panel with a laminated plastic interlayer that sits between the two glass panels. The laminated proprietary technology interlayer contains nano and microparticles.

Light is allowed to pass through the glass and the interlayer activates ultraviolet and infrared light and diverts the energy to thin solar strips embedded around all internal edges of the window, where they are then converted from energy into electricity.

Management says recent trial testing has shown that its IGUs can produce cooler and quieter interior workplaces, while also generating sufficient power to offset costs or run a range of internal services. The power can either offset or supplement building services, such as powering air-circulating fans or reducing air-conditioning needs.

ClearVue has made a concerted push into big markets such as the United States, Europe and the Middle East recently, in addition to seeking out opportunities within Australia.

The company also released a new range of BIPV products a few months back, enabling it to offer a solution for vision and non-vision areas of any building. It allows for the complete external envelope of a building facade to be converted into a power-generating area and provides a net-zero solution for buildings.

The new spandrels and cladding do not contain the proprietary technology and act more like traditional solar panels.

Management also recently revealed that it has developed several new tools to assist its licensed distributors in boosting sales. Its new thermal modelling software, dubbed “High-rise Archetype-3”, is based on a 40-storey office building model and demonstrates how its “Power Facade” products can improve a building’s thermal performance, energy creation and energy usage.

ClearVue appears determined to push into as many markets as possible to boost sales of its new-age products and also to spread the message that reduction of carbon emissions is possible with smart building designs and modern technology.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: [e-mail]