Photovoltaic array with array-roof integration member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9716465-B2
Application number	US-201514879547-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2015
Priority date	Jun 11, 2009
Publication date	Jul 25, 2017
Grant date	Jul 25, 2017

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a photovoltaic (PV) apparatus. The PV apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in an array and attached to a support structure which is attached to a roof. Each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells. A first array-roof integration member is attached to a first side of the array. The array-roof integration member covers a gap between the first side of the array and the roof. Another embodiment relates to a method of installing a photovoltaic apparatus upon a sloped roof. Another embodiment relates to a kit for mounting a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed herein.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A photovoltaic apparatus comprising: a support structure attached to a surface of a sloped roof;
a plurality of photovoltaic modules having a frame surrounding a periphery of the photovoltaic module attached to the support structure; and a first array-roof integration member that is attached to the surface of the roof and to a lower side of the frame of a first photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules, and extending at an angle outwardly away from the plurality of photovoltaic modules and the support structure;
the first array-roof integration member covering a gap between the first photovoltaic module and the surface of the roof, the first array-roof integration member comprising a flexible member that follows a contour of the sloped roof and has a plurality of air vents.

2. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first-array roof integration member comprises a top portion that is attached to the lower side of the frame of the first photovoltaic module and a bottom portion that is attached to the surface of the roof.

3. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first-array roof integration member has a curved surface.

4. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first array-roof integration member contacts only one side of the frame of the first photovoltaic module.

5. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of air vents provide a predetermined minimum net free vent area.

6. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a clear backsheet in each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules; and
areas on each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules through which the backsheet is visible.

7. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first photovoltaic module has a colored back sheet chosen to complement or match a color of the surface of the roof.

8. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second array-roof integration member that is attached to a second photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the second array-roof integration member covering a gap between a rigid frame of the second photovoltaic module and the surface of the roof.

9. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mechanism at a top of the first array-roof integration member to allow a pivot motion of at least a portion of the first array-roof integration member.

10. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first array-roof integration member has a same color as the surface of the roof.

11. A method of installing a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof, the method comprising:
attaching a support structure to a top surface of a sloped roof;
attaching a plurality of photovoltaic modules having a frame surrounding a periphery of each photovoltaic module to the support structure; and attaching a first array-roof integration member to the surface of the roof and to a lower side of a frame of a first of the photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules so as to follow a contour of the top surface of the roof, the first array-roof integration member extending at an angle outwardly away from the plurality of photovoltaic modules and the support structure;
the first array-roof integration member comprising a flexible member with a plurality of air vents.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
attaching a second array-roof integration member to a second photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules so as to cover a gap that extends between the second photovoltaic module and the top surface of the roof.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality photovoltaic modules is formed as an array and the first array-roof integration member is on one side of the array and the second array-roof integration member is on another side of the array.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
providing the support structure, the plurality of photovoltaic modules, and the first array-roof integration member as an installation kit in installing a photovoltaic apparatus.

15. A kit for mounting a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof comprising:
a support structure configured for attachment to a surface of a sloped roof;
a plurality of photovoltaic modules having a frame surrounding a periphery of each photovoltaic module that are configured to be attached to the support structure; and
an array-roof integration member that is configured to be attached to the surface of the roof and to a lower side of a frame of a photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules to cover a gap between the photovoltaic module and the surface of the roof by following a contour of the surface of the roof, the array-roof integration member comprising a flexible member with a plurality of air vents;
wherein after installation the array-roof integration member extends at an angle outwardly away from the plurality of photovoltaic modules and the support structure.

16. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the array-roof integration member is configurable to have a curved profile.

17. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the array-roof integration member is configured to be attached only to one side of the frame of the photovoltaic module.

18. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the array-roof integration member has a same color as the surface of the roof.

Assignees

• Sunpower Corp

Inventors

• Rose Douglas H
• Lenox Carl

Classifications

• Y02E10/44

  Heat exchange systems · CPC title

• Y02B10/20

  Solar thermal · CPC title

• F24J2/045

  Mechanical Engineering · mapped topic

• H02S20/23 Primary

  specially adapted for roof structures · CPC title

• Y02B10/12

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic