ClearVue Technologies Ltd (ASX:CPV, OTCQB:CVUEF) continues to make strides in its solar greenhouse program across Murdoch University in Perth and Sendai City in Japan.
So far, a stage one plant science trial has taken place at the Murdoch greenhouse, providing the ASX-lister with power generation, thermal efficiency and plant science data and insights.
This means that ClearVue could make some upgrades to the greenhouse system ahead of a stage two trial, which is out to confirm ClearVue’s PV glazing solution for commercial applications.
The stage two trial is already underway, aiming to find that perfect balance between power generation, thermal efficiency, water savings and maximising plant growth across a wide range of species, particularly as they adjust to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) light.
In the meantime, ClearVue is working to install its PV glazing on the commercial greenhouse at the Aqua Ignis resort in Japan.
Financial and environmental perks
Speaking to the update, ClearVue chair Victor Rosenberg said: “The results from the ClearVue Greenhouse at Murdoch have demonstrated the power performance of ClearVue’s PV glazing, both as a power source for the project, but also as a significant contributor to energy reduction within the operation of commercial greenhousing.
“[This is especially true] where growers are willing to invest into a long-term capital asset that can pay itself back, both financially and from a carbon perspective; something no other greenhouse covering product on the market can offer today.
“The recent upgrades made to the greenhouse will offer an even greater insight into the role the ClearVue glazing can play in commercial greenhousing.”
The results are in
A greenhouse using ClearVue PV glazing officially opened at Murdoch University in April 2021.
Twelve months on, the company has captured some key data as it measured the greenhouse’s energy production and thermal performance.
ClearVue’s study set out to:
- Measure the power generation performance, as an offset to the energy demands of the greenhouse itself;
- Assess the expected reduced energy load due to the thermal performance of the ClearVue product; and
- Consider the impact that the proprietary ClearVue interlayer technology has on plant growth within the greenhouse.
Spurred on by the performance studies and its plant science trial data, ClearVue has made some updates to the greenhouse’s control and operational systems.
Specifically, the ASX-lister has further invested in:
- Water use;
- Photonic transmission;
- Light spectra analysis;
- Internal air movement within the greenhouse rooms;
- Plant growth tracking; and
- Monitoring the impact of irrigation and fertiliser application.
In combination, ClearVue says its changes have made the solar greenhouse at Murdoch one of the premier plant research facilities in Australia.
Rosenberg continued: “While the results show that we still have a little work to do in finding the optimum balance between power generation, minimal water use, and optimised light conditions for maximum plant growth, we are confident that we are close to finding this equilibrium point.”
ClearVue PV in Japan
ClearVue’s PV IGU products are being installed by ClearVue’s Japanese licensed distributor, Tomita Technologies, onto a greenhouse at the Aqua Ignis Hot Springs tourism resort project in the Fujitsuka area of Wakabayashi-ku at Sendai City, Japan.
The greenhouse is a commercial structure that will be used to supply produce for the resort.
Glazing work is expected to complete over the coming weeks, with overall completion of the greenhouse and its opening anticipated within the next month or two.
Rosenberg stated: “[We] are looking forward to working with the Murdoch team on the Stage 2 plant science trials, but also with Tomita on the commercial greenhouse at Sendai in Japan to round out this work.
“The Tomita Technologies greenhouse installation is itself progressing very well and will — in addition to offering a commercial greenhouse as a reference point — serve as a good demonstration of larger-sized ClearVue PV glazing in a cold-climate real-world setting.
“We very much look forward to the finalisation of this exemplar project and its opening in the coming months.”
