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Viridian and Unirac announce US licensing deal for roof-integrated solar

Viridian Solar has granted Unirac an exclusive license to manufacture, market and sell the Clearline fusion roof-integrated solar technology in the US and Latin American markets.

Marketed as Clearline fusion in European markets, the product is especially well suited to the new-build residential sector where Viridian Solar has quickly achieved a market-leading position in the United Kingdom, signing up major homebuilders to exclusive national supply agreements. More recently, the formation of a subsidiary in the Netherlands, and recruitment of wholesale partners has led to new successes in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany and Austria.

For more than 20 years, Unirac has paced the North American market as a leading provider of PV mounting solutions. Over the last eighteen months, the company has committed to a series of new acquisitions, strategic partnerships and new product launches to expand its range to provide a more complete solar offering.

Solar mandatory by 2020

Welcoming the deal, Peter Lorenz, CEO of Unirac says: “Our quest to develop, seek out and offer the best and most innovative products on the market led us to Cambridge and Clearline fusion.  We selected Viridian Solar's PV roofing system for its elegant simplicity, high-quality materials, robust testing, and proven market performance. The solar mandate comes into force in California in 2020 and we will be ready to offer homebuilders a highly desirable, aesthetically pleasing roof-integrated solar option.”

Founded in 2004 by engineers from Cambridge University, Viridian Solar has a long history of designing and manufacturing roof-integrated solar technology. Clearline fusion replaces tiles on pitched roofs, sitting lower in the roofline for improved aesthetics and boasts ease of installation, simple kitting as well as the highest wind resistance and fire rating of any roof-integrated system.  

Stuart Elmes, CEO of Viridian Solar explained: “We have been impressed by the professionalism and dynamism of the Unirac team and look forward to working together to successfully bring products based on Clearline fusion to the United States. The solar mandate in California requires all new built homes to be equipped with solar from 2020 and other states are considering similar moves. Unirac's undoubted experience, market reach and reputation will be key to unlocking this opportunity." (mfo)