ClearVue Technologies, an ASX-listed company specializing in solar-powered building materials, has secured a significant contract with its strategic license partner, Concept Business Group, based in Johannesburg. The collaboration aims to upgrade two ten-storey commercial towers in South Africa by replacing their facades with ClearVue’s innovative solar glass and cladding, which can generate electricity while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the buildings.
The project will involve the complete overhaul of the outer coverings of the towers, transforming them into energy-generating structures. ClearVue’s proprietary technology includes solar vision glass, solar cladding, and solar skylights, allowing the facades to capture sunlight efficiently. This upgrade is expected to meet more than 40% of the towers’ energy demands, significantly lowering operational costs and reducing the environmental impact associated with fossil fuel-based power generation.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The total value of this project exceeds A$1 million, with an anticipated payback period of under five years. This development underscores the growing economic viability of integrating renewable energy solutions into existing infrastructure. According to Douglas Hunt, managing director and chief executive officer of ClearVue, “Building owners can significantly offset their carbon footprint while generating a return on investment.”
Established in 2007, Concept Business Group has a history of linking various green technologies to help companies reduce energy consumption and waste. Their expertise includes collaborating with major firms, such as Vodacom, to implement energy-efficient systems, achieving energy savings between 40% and 80%. The partnership with ClearVue aligns with Concept’s mission to create carbon-free operations, supported by their Sydney office, which connects projects across regions.
Future Prospects for Solar Integration
The project is still in the planning phase, with installation scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2024. Concept’s project teams will oversee the design, engineering, and fitting processes, drawing on trusted partners for specialized work, while ClearVue will provide technical support. Craig Boyd, managing director of Concept Business Group, emphasized the importance of modernizing real estate assets: “This installation is about buildings becoming energy generators, offering energy options.”
ClearVue initially focused on solar window glass but has since expanded its product offerings to include solar-generating balcony railings and roofs. As countries strive to meet carbon-free targets, innovations like ClearVue’s electricity-generating building exteriors represent a viable path toward the widespread adoption of eco-friendly upgrades. Maintaining a payback period of around five years positions ClearVue’s products as attractive investment options for real estate owners, merging sustainability with economic practicality.
This partnership marks a potential turning point for solar energy integration in urban environments across Africa, setting a precedent for future developments in sustainable building practices.
