Wind uplift-resistant photovoltaic roofing elements and photovoltaic roofing systems
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic roofing element comprising:
- a frame structure having a top end and a bottom end, and an upward-facing surface and a downward-facing surface, the frame structure having an attachment zone and an exposure zone, with the exposure zone disposed toward the bottom end of the frame structure, and the attachment zone disposed toward the top end of the frame structure, the frame structure further including a ledge extending away from the top end of the frame structure and one or more wind clips extending from the downward-facing surface of the frame structure in the exposure zone, the ledge and the one or more wind clips being configured such that, when installed in a photovoltaic roofing system, the wind clip of an overlying photovoltaic roofing element engages the ledge of an underlying photovoltaic roofing element; and
one or more photovoltaic elements held in the exposure zone of the frame structure,wherein the exposure zone of the frame structure comprises a plurality of horizontal support structures and a plurality of vertical support structures intersecting with the horizontal support structures, the one or more photovoltaic elements being disposed on the horizontal and vertical support structures, the horizontal and vertical support structures defining the downward-facing surface of the frame structure, and the one or more wind clips extend downwardly from one of the horizontal support structures, the one or more wind clips extending downwardly from the downward-facing surface of the remainder of the frame structure; and
wherein each of the wind clips includes a feature extending substantially horizontally toward the bottom end of the frame structure, the feature being configured such that, when installed in a photovoltaic roofing system, the horizontal feature of an overlying photovoltaic roofing element is disposed under the ledge of an underlying photovoltaic roofing element, the total area of the horizontally-extending features of all wind clips is greater than 20 cm2.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage; and wind clip and ledge features configured to prevent against wind uplift of the photovoltaic roofing elements when installed.
45 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A photovoltaic roofing element comprising:
-
a frame structure having a top end and a bottom end, and an upward-facing surface and a downward-facing surface, the frame structure having an attachment zone and an exposure zone, with the exposure zone disposed toward the bottom end of the frame structure, and the attachment zone disposed toward the top end of the frame structure, the frame structure further including a ledge extending away from the top end of the frame structure and one or more wind clips extending from the downward-facing surface of the frame structure in the exposure zone, the ledge and the one or more wind clips being configured such that, when installed in a photovoltaic roofing system, the wind clip of an overlying photovoltaic roofing element engages the ledge of an underlying photovoltaic roofing element; and one or more photovoltaic elements held in the exposure zone of the frame structure, wherein the exposure zone of the frame structure comprises a plurality of horizontal support structures and a plurality of vertical support structures intersecting with the horizontal support structures, the one or more photovoltaic elements being disposed on the horizontal and vertical support structures, the horizontal and vertical support structures defining the downward-facing surface of the frame structure, and the one or more wind clips extend downwardly from one of the horizontal support structures, the one or more wind clips extending downwardly from the downward-facing surface of the remainder of the frame structure; and wherein each of the wind clips includes a feature extending substantially horizontally toward the bottom end of the frame structure, the feature being configured such that, when installed in a photovoltaic roofing system, the horizontal feature of an overlying photovoltaic roofing element is disposed under the ledge of an underlying photovoltaic roofing element, the total area of the horizontally-extending features of all wind clips is greater than 20 cm2. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification