The $54bn market for green buildings is growing rapidly. According to McGraw Hill Construction, a third of all new non-residential construction is green and non-residential green building developments are expected to triple over the next 5 years. This market is expected to reach $120 – $145 billion in new construction and $14 – $18 billion in major retrofit projects.

Smart glass is for green buildings is gaining in popularity. They can change from clear to tinted automatically, in response to changes in light or temperature. Windows using this “electro-chromic” technology help building owners and operators reduce their heat, cooling and lighting costs, and energy consumption.

For instance, GE organises a $200 million Ecomagination Challenge, inviting ideas on building the next-generation power grid. Last month, it named Soladigm, a smart glass maker, one of the first 12 winners of the innovation competition. Soladigm’s latest round of fundings will help it build and launch its high-volume commercial operations and develop sales and marketing channels. Earlier this month, smart glass maker Sage Electrochromics, also raised an $80 million investment from construction materials maker Saint-Gobain.