Crux Biomedical, Inc.

Solarcity Corporation

Sunlink Corporation

Tesla, Inc.

Other

Zep Solar, LLC

Martin Seery

Eric Johnson

Jeff Elkins

Frank Arko

Thomas J Fogarty

Charles Bernardo Almy

Tyrus Hawkes Hudson

Thomas Fogarty

River Broussard

Robert H J Miros

Todd A Pelman

Daniel Flanigan

Kathryn Austin Pesce

Garret Anthony Bautista

Rodney Hans Holland

Malcolm Kimberley

Jeff Hartnett

David Molina

Emil Johansen

Ryan Lemon Devine

Margaret Birmingham Mittan

Ty Hudson

Isaac Childress

Jack Raymond West

Brian Edward Atchley

Johann Fritz Karkheck

William Paul Buchanan

Trevor B Guthrie

Thomas Anderson

Jonathan Hewlett

Tim Henson

Kate Miller

Clara Nagy

Ethan Ely

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.

Interlocking BIPV roof tile with backer

This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.

Sidelap interconnect for photovoltaic roofing modules

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Building integrated photovoltaic roofing assemblies and associated systems and methods

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Assemblies and couplings for mounting PV modules are provided. An assembly is provided to avoid conflicts between linkages used to adjoin adjacent PV modules and leveling feet used to mount the PV modules to supporting structure. Specifically, an interlock support coupling is provided that may include a shaft with a locking portion disposed at the end that interfaces with an interlock bracket used to couple adjacent PV modules and a housing with an opening for receiving a connection with a supporting foot. An interlock bracket may be provided with a slot for receiving an interlock support coupling.

Interlock system for mounting and joining photovoltaic modules

Photovoltaic mounting systems that form chemical flashings are provided herein. Such mounting systems can include a mounting plate adapted to interface with an off-the-shelf mounting puck so as to allow mounting of the puck on the roof surface without use of traditional roof flashing and/or modification of shingles of the roof surface. Such mounting plates can include a top surface adapted to interface with the puck and a bottom surface that defines a cavity between the mounting plate and the puck in which to form the chemical flashing by injecting a flowable sealant into the cavity via an inlet of the mounting plate that remains accessible from outside the puck during mounting. Such mounting plates can further include features for orienting the plate, directing runoff away from any sealed roof penetrations and filling of the cavity with flowable sealant.

Photovoltaic mounting system with sealant injector inlet

A clamping system for securing the corners of four photovoltaic modules to a carport purlin, the clamping system having upper and lower body portions with an adjustable set screw between, the gap dimensioned to receive the purlin therein and the set screw rotatable to secure the purlin to the upper body portion. The system also having a pair of PV module connectors at opposite ends of the clamping assembly, each PV module connector adapted to secure a pair of PV modules to the purlin.

Solar photovoltaic module clamping system

A support system for photovoltaic mounting rails having a cylindrical base that rotates into a locked position.

Support system for photovoltaic mounting rail having cylindrical base that rotates into a locked position

A flashing system and assembly for slate or tile roofs having a flashing and a flashing cap. The flashing is shaped to replace a plurality of removed slates or tiles. The flashing cap has an adjustable position such that the position of a mounting rail support system passing through the flashing can be adjusted with respect to the flashing while still maintaining a watertight seal with the flashing cap and optional sealing cap.

Tile and slate roof flashing systems

A novel PV module carrier and methods of use provide protection for PV modules during transportation, field handling, and assembly with racking systems. The carrier contains elements of a racking system to allow for quicker installation in the field. The PV module carrier reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for frame elements, while reducing field installation time and labor cost for system installation.

Photovoltaic module carrier and methods of use

A photovoltaic mounting system for tile roofs is disclosed. In one embodiment, mounting bracket is attached to a roof deck and passes through a flashing support and flexible flashing that mimics the contour of the adjacent roof tiles. In other embodiments, a tile hook passes through partial or full tile replacement flashing. A plug or other structure blocks the space around the tile hook preventing the ingress of pests and debris under the flashing and surrounding tiles. Additional photovoltaic module mounting hardware, including sections of rails and frame mounts are attached either the mounting bracket or tile hook.

Photovoltaic mounting system for tiled roofs

A system for mounting a photovoltaic array onto short sections of mounting rails such that a section of mounting rail is only installed fewer than all the photovoltaic modules in the array. A single section of mounting rail may support one, two or three photovoltaic modules depending on it's length and position respect to the edge of each module frame.

Growing community of inventors

San Rafael, CA, United States of America

Martin Seery