One of the most common ways to harness solar energy is to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on residential or commercial building rooftops, or solar farms which can supply power on a larger scale. However, with limited land especially in dense urban cities, an alternative approach is to turn vertical building facades into solar producing panels, also known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs).
Australia-based BIPV company ClearVue Technologies has developed a unique new generation patented solar energy harvesting clear glass that converts sunlight into electricity via PV cells placed within the window frame. Besides generating electricity from zero-carbon sources, it also provides insulation from heat and cold, and UV control. It was keen to seek collaboration partners from the building and construction industry as well as researchers in Asia, and took part in TechInnovation 2016, where it was connected with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
A research collaboration agreement was signed in January 2018 between ClearVue Technologies, NTU and Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise Ltd (SHARE) to jointly develop the printing of thin film solar cells onto glass. SHARE is the only international research centre of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem outside of Israel, and the research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.
“ClearVue Technologies is a firm believer in embracing innovation to maintain our distinct competitive advantage. We are pleased that our participation at TechInnovation had given our technology fantastic exposure and opened new opportunities for us. We are optimistic that the strategic collaboration with NTU and SHARE will bring about improved harvesting efficiency and pave the way for a robust innovation pipeline to fuel our growth,” said Victor Rosenberg, Executive Chairman, ClearVue Technologies.
Envisioning multiple potential applications in markets such as building and construction, infrastructure, agriculture and automobiles, he added that the company would focus on commercialisation of the product and ongoing research and development over the next 12 months. ClearVue Technologies was recently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange at the end of May 2018.
In densely populated urban areas, space for traditional solar energy installations such as rooftop photovoltaic panels or solar farms is limited. This presents a significant challenge for harnessing solar energy at scale. ClearVue Technologies recognized the need for an alternative approach that could integrate solar energy solutions into the existing infrastructure of buildings. The challenge was to develop a technology that not only generates electricity but also fits seamlessly into the architectural design of modern buildings. ClearVue aimed to find collaboration partners in Asia to advance their technology and explore new markets.
IPI Singapore facilitated ClearVue Technologies' participation in TechInnovation 2016, where they were connected with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise Ltd (SHARE). This strategic collaboration aimed to jointly develop the printing of thin film solar cells onto glass. The research, supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore, under its CREATE programme, focused on enhancing the efficiency of solar energy harvesting through innovative clear glass technology. By integrating photovoltaic cells within window frames, ClearVue's solution not only generates electricity from sunlight but also provides insulation and UV control, making it a versatile addition to building facades.
"ClearVue Technologies is a firm believer in embracing innovation to maintain our distinct competitive advantage. We are pleased that our participation at TechInnovation had given our technology fantastic exposure and opened new opportunities for us. We are optimistic that the strategic collaboration with NTU and SHARE will bring about improved harvesting efficiency and pave the way for a robust innovation pipeline to fuel our growth."
Australia-based BIPV company ClearVue Technologies has developed a unique new generation patented solar energy harvesting clear glass that converts sunlight into electricity via PV cells placed within the window frame.