This is such big news for the Australian people that the world’s first clear solar glass greenhouse has now opened in Perth, Western Australia. The greenhouse is located at Murdoch University in Perth south. This is also a part of the University’s grains research project including $7.5 million worth. We have already looked at some of the amazing ways solar is being used in the past few years and this one is also one of them! Now, let’s have a look at it in brief.
An Australian company named ClearVue Technologies has developed solar glass and the company itself is committed to playing a very big role in a better future that will be powered by renewable energy. Their main product is producing energy-efficient glass that helps in generating electricity and thus, the name comes ‘solar glass’. This seems to be an amazing place to start. The Perth-based company leads the way in building the integrated photovoltaics. Let’s break that down in the term.
Building-integrated photovoltaics is basically the use of solar technology in normal ways, like everyday building materials. In other words, we can say that they’re essentially building materials that harness solar energy. This also includes elements like windows, tiles, and glass. But in this case, we’re looking at the glass only. One of the best ways ClearVue using is solar technology in the glass. And through this, they call it glazing; which means allowing the energy to be generated from the glass without affecting its transparency. ClearVue calls this process an integrated glazing unit or in short IGU.
It is expected that with the help of a glass greenhouse, we can generate enough energy for around 12 Australian households. The technology used in the glass greenhouse itself works to let in sunlight (as is the case with a normal greenhouse) but also works to convert ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light into energy that helps in powering the greenhouse itself. This is because excess UV and/or IR light can also damage the plants and their cells.
So as a result, plants don’t need to worry so much about protecting themselves from the sun and they can easily put all their energy into growing. This one is the best advantage for agriculturalists and botanists that ClearVue’s solar glass helps plants to grow at a rate of about 20-30% higher than that in the case of the standard greenhouse!
This is not the very first time that ClearVue has used its solar glass in Perth, Western Australia. In the year 2018, it was announced by the company itself that they would probably start using solar glass for bus shelters and street signs as well. Also, in the year 2019, ClearVue’s solar glass was used in an atrium in a shopping center situated in the north of Perth. The IGUs power can also be used for indoor lighting, outdoor signage, and display screens at the shopping center.
So, if stay in Perth then you must go and check out the solar glass greenhouse which is at Murdoch University, or the atrium at Warwick Grove Shopping Centre. You will be amazed to see such developments in Perth.
Below are some important links to read about solar energy in Perth WA...
https://sites.google.com/view/solarperth/solar-homes-program-in-victoria
https://sites.google.com/view/solarperth/home
https://sites.google.com/view/solarperth/solar-electricity-measurement
https://solar-power-perth.tumblr.com/post/646732750902247424/solar-power-installation-in-perth-wa
https://solarpanelperthwa.wixsite.com/blog/post/if-your-solar-company-disappears
https://solarpanelperth.weebly.com/blog/top-5-solar-power-projects-worldwide
https://solarpanelperth.weebly.com/blog/wa-electricity-prices-to-be-increased-from-july-2021-synergy