The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Dec. 10, 2019

Filed:

Jan. 26, 2018
Applicant:

Solarcity Corporation, San Mateo, CA (US);

Inventors:

Daniel Preston Flanigan, Petaluma, CA (US);

Jack Raymond West, San Rafael, CA (US);

Assignee:

Tesla, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H02S 20/25 (2014.01); H02S 40/36 (2014.01); H01L 31/048 (2014.01); H02S 40/34 (2014.01); E04D 1/12 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H02S 20/25 (2014.12); E04D 1/12 (2013.01); H01L 31/048 (2013.01); H02S 40/34 (2014.12); H02S 40/36 (2014.12); Y02A 30/62 (2018.01); Y02B 10/12 (2013.01);
Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer, with minimal visible difference between photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic areas of the BIPV system. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as roofing tiles that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the roofing tiles. BIPV systems can also include mimic or dummy tiles that appear similar to tiles with photovoltaic elements, but do not collect solar energy. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV tile roof systems can be generally uniform to an observer at ground level, where the blending and distribution of photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic elements generate a consistent and elegant appearance that camouflages any differences between photovoltaic tile or non-photovoltaic tiles.


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