GSA’s Green Proving Ground program selects SageGlass to control sun glare and heat gain for LEED Gold-accredited Texas Port of Entry

SAGE today announced that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has selected SageGlass® dynamic glass for its Green Proving Ground program that evaluates innovative sustainable building technologies.

Green Proving Ground uses GSA-managed properties to evaluate technologies that reduce energy in federal buildings and have significant savings potential if widely implemented. GSA works with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Laboratories to conduct these tests. The technologies are selected for their potential to help reduce operating costs, improve occupant well-being and to meet the sustainability goals in President Obama’s Executive Order on environmental, energy and economic performance.

The technology will be evaluated at the Donna-Rio Bravo U.S. Land Port of Entry, a Green Proving Ground project and the first LEED Gold-accredited port of entry in Texas. The building serves as the checkpoint and inspection facility for civilian traffic crossing the Rio Grande into and from Mexico via the Alliance International Bridge.

SageGlass is electronically tintable dynamic glass that maximizes daylight and outdoor views in buildings while controlling solar glare and heat gain. The glass can darken and clear on demand or automatically using sensors to help keep border agents comfortable.

The agents also need maximum visibility and unobstructed views at all angles throughout the day and in any weather condition to do their jobs. SageGlass will enable the port of entry to control the intense Texas sunlight throughout the day and seasons without having to install sunshades or blinds, or resort to sunglasses, visors or other sun-blocking methods that would otherwise compromise the outdoor view.

By regulating solar heat gain and optimizing daylight, SageGlass can also improve the energy efficiency of the port of entry by reducing lighting and HVAC system loads.

SageGlass was one of 12 technologies selected by the GSA for this year’s Green Proving Ground program. But this is not the first government installation for the dynamic glazing. SageGlass has already delivered benefits to state and federal facilities including the Torrington Port of Entry in Wyoming and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Research Support Facility and Energy Systems Integration Facility.

For more information on the 12 new technologies selected for evaluation as part of GSA’s Green Proving Ground program this year, as well as results from last year’s program, visit

Also, please visit SAGE at Booth # 4353N at the upcoming Greenbuild show in San Francisco Nov.14-16.