PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOFING PANEL

• US 20080236653A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas L. Kelly
• Original Assignee: Thomas L. Kelly
• Inventors: Kelly, Thomas L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,222,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6001 by using hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/61 for fixing to the ground or to building structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Disclosed is a photovoltaic roofing panel including at least one photovoltaic collector strip and a substrate configured to be disposed on a roof deck, the at least one photovoltaic collector strip being fixedly associated with the substrate.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic roofing panel comprising:

at least one photovoltaic collector strip; and

a substrate configured to be disposed on a roof deck, said at least one photovoltaic collector strip being fixedly associated with said substrate.

2. The panel of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a semi-flexible plastic board of a weight substantial enough allow said board to be loose laid on said roof deck.

3. The panel of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a semi-flexible plastic board configured to be fixedly associated to said roof deck via at least one of mechanical fastening.

4. The panel of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a semi-flexible plastic board configured to be fixedly associated to said roof deck via commercial Velcro attached to said roof deck.

5. The panel of claim 1, wherein said substrate defines channels configured for disposal of conductive material, said conductive material being configured to carry electricity generated by said at least one photovoltaic collector strip, said electricity being transmittable to said conductive material via at least one conductive connector disposed with and in electrical contact with said at least one photovoltaic collector strip and said conductive material.

6. The panel of claim 5, wherein said substrate is a semi-flexible plastic board comprising a material that allows said at least one threaded instrument to self-seal when penetrating into said board.

7. The panel of claim 1, wherein said at least one photovoltaic collector strip is configured for an electrical connection with a building of said roof deck from an underside of said at least one photovoltaic collector strip.

8. The panel of claim 2, wherein said at least one photovoltaic collector strip is configured for an electrical connection with a building of said roof deck from an underside of said at least one photovoltaic collector strip, said electrical connection running through said plastic board.

9. The panel of claim 1, wherein said at least one photovoltaic collector strip is configured for electrical connection with a building of said roof deck from a relative top surface of said at least one photovoltaic collector strip.

10. The panel of claim 1, wherein said substrate is an air permeable cloth.

11. The panel of claim 1, wherein a solar radiation transmutable film is disposed upon said at least one photovoltaic strip.

12. A photovoltaic roofing system comprising:

a roof deck;

at least one photovoltaic panel disposed with said roof deck, said at least one panel comprising at least one photovoltaic collector strip and a substrate configured to be disposed with said roof deck, said at least one photovoltaic collector strip being fixedly associated with said substrate.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said at least one photovoltaic panel is disposed upwardly adjacent to said roof deck.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein insulation is disposed upwardly adjacent to said roof deck, and said at least one photovoltaic panel is disposed upwardly adjacent to said insulation.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said insulation is disposed on said roof deck to include at least one high point that tapers down to at least one low point to create an angled disposal of said at least one photovoltaic panels.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said insulation defines circulation channels in an insulation surface adjacent to said at least one photovoltaic panel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one spacer is disposed between said insulation and said at least photovoltaic panel.

18. A photovoltaic panel arrangement comprising:

a plurality of photovoltaic panels, each of said plurality of panels comprising at least one photovoltaic collector strip and a substrate configured to be disposed on a roof deck, said at least one photovoltaic collector strip being fixedly associated with said substrate; and

a means of associating said plurality of photovoltaic panels.

19. The arrangement of claim 18, wherein said means is a flexible sheet affixed to said plurality of panels to extend between each of said panels and a panel adjacent to each in at least one direction.

20. The arrangement of claim 19, wherein said flexible sheet is foldable upon itself.

21. The arrangement of claim 18, wherein said plurality of panels are electrically associated with each other.

22. A method for providing photovoltaic power, the method comprising:

fixedly associating at least one photovoltaic strip with a substrate configured to be disposed on a roof of a structure;

disposing said substrate on said roof; and

electrically associating said at least one photovoltaic strip with said structure.